ST MARY POLICE URGE ESCAPEE TO TURN HIMSELF IN IMMEDIATELY
The St. Mary Police are urging 29-year-old Herbie Ballentine, who also goes by the name ‘Junior Ballentine’, to turn himself in to the nearest Police Station immediately.
Ballentine escaped custody at about 5:15 p.m. on Friday, October 3.
It is reported that at about 11:50 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, a police team was investigating complaints of noise from a bar in Frazerwood district in St. Mary when they heard explosions sounding like gunshots. The team reportedly went to investigate and was led to a wake in another section of the community. On their arrival at the wake, the police reportedly saw a man acting in a manner that aroused their suspicion. The police team attempted to accost him, but he fled.
Subsequent enquiries saw Ballentine emerging as the suspect who fled the wake. The police team conducted an operation at a house in the community in a bid to further their investigations. However, he reportedly attacked a member of the police team with a knife and was shot. He was arrested and transported to the hospital for treatment.
Ballentine was being interviewed by personnel from the Independent Commission of Investigation (INDECOM) while at the hospital and was released into police custody. It is reported that he escaped by overpowering INDECOM and police personnel when they removed his handcuffs to allow him to affix his signature to the statement collected. The police searched the areas surrounding the hospital, but he was not seen.
He is now being urged to turn himself in immediately.
Persons in and around Port Maria and Highgate are asked to be on the lookout for strangers in their communities and encouraged to call the Police immediately if they see anything suspicious. Family members and friends are reminded that harbouring an escapee is an offence, and they are advised to contact detectives at the Port Maria Police Station to make arrangements for Ballentine’s peaceful surrender. The contact number is 876-994-9873.
Meanwhile, investigators are continuing their investigation of the incident, which also saw the arrest of a man who was at the house with Ballentine and the seizure of three imitation firearms.
No photo of Herbie Ballentine was available at the time of this publication.
