Jamaican policeman charged in connection with cooking oil robbery denied bail

The Jamaican policeman charged with the robbery of a delivery truck carrying cooking oil was denied bail when he appeared in the St. Catherine Parish Court on Monday.

Charged are Detective Corporal Maurice Whittingham, 35, and co-accused, 34-year-old construction worker Michael Daley. They are charged with robbery with aggravation and kidnapping.

The policeman’s attorney said the accused suffers from diabetes and requires adequate medication and supervision. Parish Judge Nicole Kellier, however, ruled that he be held in custody until February 7, when he is to return to court as he is implicated in a serious matter.

Reports are that on Saturday, December 17, 2022, a truck carrying cooking oil valued at more than J$3 million from Seprod Limited was traveling along the Spanish Town Bypass.

Whittingham and Daley in vests marked ‘police’ stopped the truck. Whittingham allegedly approached the truck driver, asked about his data entry record, and took him to a Honda motor car.

The truck was emptied, and the driver and two sidemen were tied up inside the vehicle. The men were able to free themselves, escaped from the vehicle, and made a report.

The vehicle was subsequently found in Thetford, near Old Harbour, and Whittingham and Daley were arrested after a report was made and an investigation was launched into the matter.

The cooking oil was not recovered.