Robber shot dead by cop

One of two men who staged a daring robbery outside a Supreme Ventures outlet in Montego Bay, St James, last Saturday, was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer, who was assisting the business operator in transporting cash.

The slain gunman has since been identified as Glenroy Hodges, otherwise called 'Tallman', who frequents the Charles Gordon Market area.

Reports are that the business operator asked the cop for his assistance in transporting cash from the outlet to a wholesale, where his main office is located.

At about 8 p.m., the cop picked up the bag containing the cash from the outlet on Fustic Road, and was proceeding towards the office located at the market circle.

On reaching a section of the roadway, he was held at gunpoint by Hodges and another man.

The gunmen demanded that the cop hand over the bag, which he did. While trying to escape, they were challenged by the lawman.

During the exchange of gunfire, the cop managed to shoot one of the robbers, while the other escaped on foot with the bag containing the cash.

The policeman carried out a search of the vicinity and found the wounded robber.

The police were summoned and upon arrival, the robber was transported to the Cornwall Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Launched a manhunt

After processing the scene, investigators said they have launched a manhunt for his accomplice.

Dozens of commuters who were sent scampering for cover during the exchange of gunfire commended the cop.

"Mi know the ole thiefing boy. A him an him fren a rob nuff a di place dem dung a market yah," one vendor said. "Dem mussa think seh every day a Chrismus, and the ole thiefing boy don't even know seh is a police dem rob." One police source told THE STAR that the businessman is constantly being targeted by gunmen in the city.