The St Catherine South police have arrested a man in connection with a triple murder that occurred on the Hellshire Beach, St Catherine, on June 22.

THE STAR understands that the man who is from the De la Vega City in Spanish Town, St Catherine, was picked up on Friday on the beach.

Clive Blair, deputy superintendent of police in charge of operations for St Catherine South, said the man is believed to be part of a Spanish Town gang and investigations are ongoing.

''We are pleased to say there is a breakthrough. However, the police are continuing their investigations into the matter,'' DSP Blair said.

beach killing

The police investigations into the triple murder arose out of an incident last Tuesday when Christopher Thomas, 40, Melonie McGowan, 38, and 16-year-old Lisa Whyte, all of Hellshire Park, St Catherine, were gunned down on Hellshire Beach.

Reports are that on the day in question two men went to the beach in search of Thomas. He was seen by his attackers, who chased and shot him.

McGowan and Whyte reportedly ran to Thomas' assistance but they were also shot repeatedly. McGowan and Thomas died on the spot.

Whyte was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine where she was admitted and died the following day.