The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

A MAN is in hospital and another in police custody following a high speed chase through the streets of western New Providence yesterday.

The chase started in the Delaport area, said Supt Stephen Dean, after the men were ordered by police to stop for a routine search of the white Chevy Blazer they were driving. Mr Dean said officers suspected that both men could have been a part of a housebreaking racket in that area. The chase occurred at around 1pm.

The men have been named by police as 29-year-old Chris Johnson and Javaro Gentle, 22.

“When police tried to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to yield,” said Supt Dean.

“The chase then began and continued east along West Bay Street, south onto Westridge North, and then onto JFK Drive east. Officers then set up a road block at the intersection of JFK and Gladstone Roads in hopes of stopping them.”

However, the chase then took a near fatal turn when the men swerved into a police cruiser forcing the officers to dive for cover. They also sped through police barricades, compromising the safety of several other officers, Mr Dean said. Police at the same time fired shots at the men in an attempt to stop them.

Police were then led south onto Gladstone Road and from there to eastern Carmichael Road where the chase ended near John Chea Foodstore No. 8.

Police discovered a 32-inch flat screen TV and two Dell Laptops inside the vehicle. Police also found that Johnson had been shot twice in the lower back. He was taken to the Princess Margaret Hospital by ambulance.

Police are continuing their investigations.