Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

The St. James police's bid to dismantle the much-feared Montego Bay-based Stone Crusher gang was met with more success yesterday when Rohan Stennett, a top lieutenant of the gang, was killed in an alleged confrontation with a special police team in Annotto Bay, St. Mary.

Stennett, who the police said was wanted for a double murder, among other gun-related crimes, was reportedly tipped to take over the leadership of the Stone Crusher gang, following the recent death of its alleged leader Rohan 'Don' Gordon, who was killed in a shootout with the police just over two weeks ago.

Acting on information, a police team went to Dover district, in Annotto Bay,where they accosted the 33-year-old Stennett. He reportedly pulled a firearm and opened fire on the police, but was subsequently cut down in an ensuing shootout. A powerful .45 pistol was reportedly taken from his body.

Displacement strategy

"We have a displacement strategy in place, so, wherever these guys go we will be right behind them," said Superintendent Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for the St. James Police division. "We are determined to bring back law and order to areas such as Norwood, Salt Spring and Ros where the criminals have been operating."

Since Superintendent McGregor took over as commanding officer for St. James on March 1, he has been enjoying unprecedented success against the Stone Crusher gang, which has been blamed for the vast majority of the 189 murders committed in St. James last year.

Stennett's death comes shortly on the heels of the death of his brother, Conroy 'Weed Eye' Stennett, who was fatally shot on Thursday, May 10, in an alleged shootout with the police in Glendevon. The much-feared Gordon was killed in the same area 10 days later.

The killing of Stennett in St. Mary marks the second time in recent months, that a top-flight Stone Crusher member has been killed in that parish. Last year, former gang boss Michael 'Lassie' Forbes was killed in a confrontation with the police after he had fled Montego Bay.