Police acted properly when executing a firearms search warrant at a Friswell's Hill address and arrested two Jamaican nationals over the weekend, according to Assistant Commissioner Carlton Adams. But he apologised publicly to the owner of a neighbouring apartment whose sliding glass door was damaged by his officers.

Arrangements were made to have the door replaced, which was done yesterday.

Meanwhile more arrests are expected in the near future in connection with what Police believe to be a series of related incidents.

And Police are appealing to the public not to take the law into their own hands, as they investigate a series of "tit-for-tat" incidents.

Between 15 and 20 officers executed a firearms search warrant at a South Terrace address off Friswell's Hill Saturday evening as part of a continuing investigation into last week's shooting in the area.

The targets of the operation were Rohan Clarke, a Jamaican living here and married to a Bermudian, and Dwight Clarke, his brother who had arrived on the Island on Friday. Police executed the warrant at Mr. Clarke's apartment, but then went on to forcefully enter the adjoining apartment where Jay Chin, who was not at home, lived.

The Clarke brothers, who returned home shortly after the searches, claimed that Police used heavy handed tactics in arresting them, including rushing their bike while it was still in motion and then kicking them about the body, and stepping on their necks.

Asst. Comm. Adams denied that, saying that Rohan Clarke had attempted to get away after the Police identified themselves and had to be physically restrained.

He also denied that officers pointed their guns at the heads of the suspects, as was claimed. "We take particular issue with the account in The Royal Gazette," he said. "Those arrests were made in keeping with the technical advice as per the service manual of guidance on the use of firearms. Our officers did not point a weapon at anyone's heads. Nor did they kick any person. One of the persons attempted to escape on a motorcycle after Police identified themselves. He was restrained and suffered what appeared to be road rash."

He said: "The passenger was restrained, the other tried to get away and he was restrained. And they fell down. They all fell down... We take our responsibilities seriously and we have already notified the Police Complaints Authority of what is being alleged."

As to smashing down Mr. Chin's door, Asst. Comm. Adams said that a firearms search warrant permits forced entry if necessary, but a mistake was made.

Mr. Chin lived at the same address as Mr. Clarke, although in two different apartments, he noted. "The firearms warrant was for the address given. Unfortunately we were not aware that it consisted of three apartments and we damaged the door and actually entered an apartment that was not occupied by the person we were interested in. And for that we apologise."

He stressed that speed was of the essence when executing a firearms warrant. "It's not a question of knocking on doors... you have to get in quickly."

No weapon was found at any of the South Terrace apartments, but the Clarke brothers were arrested and placed on Police bail. "That was a call that was made by the investigating officer. And we are dealing with a serious offence," Asst. Comm. Adams said.

He added that the operation was in response to information received.

He declined to elaborate when asked why a visitor to the Island was suspected of possessing a firearm in relation to an incident which took place before he arrived.

"We are investigating the discharge of a firearm... Sometimes an investigation generates areas to be followed or lines of enquiry to be pursued frequently after the incident itself and that investigation is continuing. And there inevitably will be more arrests."

Reports have reached our offices that hit men (assassins) have been recruited from Jamaica to retaliate for last week's Middle Terrace shooting.

"I am aware of unsubstantiated information to that effect but I cannot tell you that's a fact," said Asst. Comm. Adams.

Dwight Clarke told The Royal Gazette this week that his arresting officers accused him of being a "sniper".

Asst. Comm. Adams stressed that the shooting incident at Middle Terrace, which is a very short distance from South Terrace, was still being investigated.

"At this point we are trying to investigate certain evidence in relation to a firearm."

He revealed that the shooting was preceded by a number of other incidents, including burglary and assault using weapons such as machetes and baseball bats, which Police believed to be related.

"They appear to be related and may well have been the catalyst for the incident at Middle Terrace," he said. Investigations into those incidents - about seven or eight in total, he said - continue. The earlier incidents appeared to be retaliatory, he said, and culminated in the Middle Terrace incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning when windows were smashed and several shots fired at the home of a Jamaican national.

Asked if the police had any concerns of more related violence, he said: "We do have concerns... Our concerns focus on the likelihood of persons feeling they need to take the law into their own hands and I would like to take this opportunity to ask those persons to allow the Police to address any complaints they may have of a criminal nature. Taking the law into their own hands is only a formula for serious injury or worse."

So far, four people have been charged and brought before the courts in relation to the shooting and related incidents.

"We are far from concluding the investigation," Asst. Comm. Adams said.

@EDITRULE:

Please note, yesterday's front page picture was of Rohan Clarke, not his brother Dwight The Royal Gazette apologises for the error.