Disgraced firefighters continue to deny stealing from crashed aircraft

Nov 16, 2018 News

as cops seek to build strong case against culprits

Investigators are seeking to build an air-tight case against the 12 firefighters who have been implicated in the theft of valuables from the crash-landed Fly Jamaica aircraft.
So far, only one of the ranks has confessed, after handing over two cell phones. The others are reportedly claiming innocence, although other articles were found in a fire truck.
Police have sought legal advice and have been instructed to garner further evidence.
“We are not getting anyone to say “I took this,” a senior official told Kaieteur News.
“Only one man is saying ‘I took this.’
“We have to get the evidence (against them). We have recovered some of the items but we have to get them identified. We need persons to identify the items and also to value them, so we can show ownership.”
The stolen items included cash, jewellery, tablets, cell phones and colognes.
It has been almost a week since 14 firefighters were detained after valuables belonging to the pilot, a flight attendant and passengers disappeared from the Fly Jamaica aircraft which was forced to land at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
The firefighters were among the first responders at the scene.
Two of the 14 ranks were reportedly later cleared. The others were released on $100,000 station bail each.
The ranks under investigation include junior and senior firefighters, some with as many as 15 years’ service. They have all been interdicted from duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
The theft reportedly came to light after the pilot reported that items were missing from the cockpit.
A flight attendant also reported missing perfume.
One of the firefighters reportedly then returned two cell phones that he had already stashed in his vehicle.
Other items, including colognes, were reportedly found in a fire truck.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has apologized to the public over his ranks’ actions. He described them as “a fringe element of the Fire Service…who could forget morals and principles.”

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