Rasbert Turner, Star Writer

The Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID) has launched a probe into a major theft and vandalism at a cell site in St Catherine.

The incident occurred at a site near Lluidas Vale in St Catherine between Monday night and early yesterday, leaving damages estimated at $3 million.

Reports from the Shadow Grove police in Lluidas Vale are that about 2 a.m. yesterday, police personnel responded to a call.

Upon reaching a cell site at Kentish district in the parish, they spotted persons loading a white Toyota Corolla station wagon motor car.

Upon seeing the police, the men fled in the station wagon leaving behind a black Toyota Yaris motor car loaded with piles of copper wires.

Closer checks by the police revealed that the complete battery house and section of the tower were torn down.

About seven batteries were stolen from the scene.

No one has been held in the operation. However, the police said it was a very costly incident for the service provider.

"We heard that the men have started to work from about 7 the night before," a policeman said.

It was revealed that the car in police custody has figured prominently in similar incidents elsewhere. This is why (OCID) has taken an interest in the matter.