Villagers claim harassment

Woods, of Indian Walk, however admitted villagers become unruly and not only cursed police officers, but seized a pair of handcuffs which fell out the hands of the police as they tried to handcuff another villager known as “Fathead”.

They also seized a spent shell after the melee which erupted at Teesdale Road Junction, Indian Walk. Video footage of the incident have since been uploaded on social media.

“We are fed up with the police,” Woods said. “The men in here are always the usual suspects. Is stereotyping all the time. My husband is a rasta, he is a mason, a quiet person who don’t interfere with anyone and he was on his way to work with a bag filled with tools. He did not have a gun.” She said it was the reason the community immediately came to his defence and the situation escalated.

Woods told Newsday because of Jules’s past experiences with police, he opted to run away instead.

Only last year and two other men were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, she said.

She alleged when Jules ran into the bushes, police fired two shots at him. It is one of those shells that residents recovered and refused to turn over to the police when they came to investigate allegations.

They however handed members of the St Mary’s Police Post the handcuffs which the officers lost in the melee.

Yesterday in a media release, police said a warrant is to be issued for the arrest of a male suspect who allegedly assaulted police officers during the conduct of their duties.

Once held, he is expected to face charges including assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and using obscene language.

Meanwhile, police are also searching for an individual who allegedly seized the gun which police claimed fell from the initial suspect.