Man Charged for Killing Car Dealer, Kidnapping Family

Detectives in Manchester have charged a man in connection with the murder of a car mart dealer, the abduction of the businessman’s family, and the theft of three vehicles during a brazen attack in Melrose Gardens last year.

The accused, Nicholas Knight, otherwise called ‘Biggs’, is a resident of Royal Flat.

On Thursday, detectives formally charged Knight with a long list of offences, including:

• Murder

• Three counts of kidnapping

• Three counts of robbery with aggravation

• Three counts of conspiracy to murder

• Unauthorized possession of ammunition

• Possession of a prohibited weapon

• Conspiracy to kidnapping

• Two counts of assault at common law

• Three counts of using a prohibited weapon to commit a felony

• Conspiracy to robbery with aggravation

According to police reports, on July 10, 2024, 35-year-old car mart dealer Omar Powell, his partner, and his then 15-year-old daughter were attacked by armed men as they made their way home.

They were abducted at gunpoint and taken into nearby bushes along a bauxite haul road, where they were tied up.

The attackers reportedly stole three cell phones, an iPod, a Mercedes Benz, and two Toyota Probox vehicles.

Powell was later killed, while his partner and daughter were found around 2:00 a.m. and taken for medical attention.

Police say Knight was arrested and charged following an extensive investigation by the Manchester Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB).

His court date is currently being finalized.

A second suspect, identified as Javar Blake, otherwise called ‘Ballah’, was fatally shot last year during an alleged confrontation with police in the Christiana area.

Investigators are still searching for a third suspect.