Police pursuit ends with firearm seizure, guilty plea

A late-night police chase in Carrington Village in September 2023 ended in chaos, with a car crash, an illegal firearm recovered, and Rawle Anthony Caesar in police custody.

Caesar, of Kingsland Terrace, Christ Church, pleaded guilty in the No. 4 Supreme Court to possession of a 9mm Taurus semi-automatic pistol and ten rounds of ammunition on September 29, 2023, before Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell.

State Counsel Paul Prescod, who is prosecuting the matter, read the facts into evidence and outlined that on that date, police were on duty in the Carrington Village, St Michael area around 9:40 p.m., when they encountered a silver Toyota Axio travelling along Tweedside Road.

Acting on information received, they followed the vehicle, which sped off even after police activated their siren and beacon. 

As the chase reached Railway Road, the driver and front seat passenger jumped out while the vehicle was still in motion, causing it to crash into a wooden structure in the Four Gena Block area. People in the area were forced to scatter for safety.

Caesar, who was the left rear seat passenger, exited the vehicle, dropped a black and pink gun on the ground, and ran off in the direction of Halls Road. He was pursued and arrested by police officers, and the firearm, loaded with ten rounds of ammunition, was recovered.

Police also seized the car, a ski mask, a black hoodie, and a grey scarf.

When the convicted man was asked about the gun, he stated, “I ain’t know nothing about that firearm.” 

State Counsel Prescod also read the statement of investigating officer Sergeant Courtney Thompson, who said that after the vehicle crashed, Caesar was seen dropping a firearm from his right hand onto the ground before running off towards Halls Road. At the time, he was wearing a black hoodie, white T-shirt, long blue jeans, and slippers.

Sergeant Thompson said he gave chase, shouting for Caesar to stop. The convicted man looked back at the pursuing officer, stopped running, then removed his hoodie, and pulled a ski mask and grey scarf from his right pants pocket, and dropped them on the ground.

Caesar gave a “no comment” response in an electronic interview with police.

The matter was adjourned until July 7, when sentencing submissions will be made by the prosecution and defence attorney Martie Garnes, who represents Caesar.