The three policemen who were taken into custody following revelations that three ballistic vests that were found in Wakefield, Trelawny, on Sunday night belonged to them have been released.

Their release follows investigations by detectives from the Anti-Corruption Branch, which have revealed that their whereabouts at the time of the robbery can be satisfactorily accounted for.

Meanwhile, investigators have also uncovered information which suggests that the vests belonging to the three policemen were stolen from the Spanish Town Police Station, and used in the commission of the robbery in Wakefield, Trelawny, yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Anthony Castelle, officer in charge of the St Catherine North Division, has now ordered a probe into the theft of the vests.

evidential material

Meanwhile, Commissioner of police Owen Ellington has commended the Trelawny police for their swift and decisive response to the reported robberies and kidnapping yesterday, which led to the capture of suspects and seizure of crucial evidential material.

"I am particularly encouraged that the appearance of police involvement in the crimes (though not yet proven) did not soften the approach of the local police in response to these crimes, but from all accounts triggered instant collaboration and coordination across several police divisions resulting in significant progress in the investigations so far," said the commissioner.

"As I commend the police for this fearless and impartial response, I would like to remind all who have ears to hear, that in our pursuit of lawbreakers, we will make no distinction between those who wear the uniform, and those who are not so privileged," said Commissioner Ellington.