$2,000 dresses on sale for $200

SAN Juan police were up to late evening questioning a man and a woman about the disappearance of several dresses from well-known local designer, Heather Jones.

Police said a 45-year-old man was held at his Morvant home Thursday evening after he allegedly sold one of the dresses to a relative of Jones in Port-of-Spain. Recognising the dress, police said the relative contacted Jones, who immediately made a report to officers of the San Juan Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Based on information received, police said a 25-year-old woman was later arrested at her San Juan home by police, including PCs Aslim Hosein and Michelle Weekes.  The duo had not been charged up to late evening and police said the two were well known to Jones. According to the police, approximately 100 dresses, priced between $1,500 and $2,000 were stolen in batches between January to April from Jones’ businessplace situated at Third Avenue, Barataria.

Police said some of the dresses began surfacing at the Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations, and were being sold at $200. Someone close to Jones recognised the dresses and then informed the designer about it.  Police said Jones was extremely shocked when told. Other dresses were also being sold in Port-of-Spain for similar prices. However, it was only on Thursday that Jones started to put the pieces together when she was informed by her relative.  When contacted yesterday, Jones told Newsday that there appeared to be a “ring involvement.” The designer did not want to say more, but stated that the dresses were stolen over a period of time. Another female employee said they were all shocked at the number of dresses stolen.  Investigations are continuing.