Punch murder suspect held

TWO hours after Central businessman Gerard Punch, 36, was shot to death on Monday night, a 20-year-old man, who police believe may be linked to Punch’s murder, was arrested in San Fernando with a loaded pistol.

The suspect, of Fonrose Street, San Fernando was yesterday being questioned by Southern Division Homicide Bureau detectives in connection with Punch’s murder.   The suspect was arrested shortly after 11 pm on Monday by a party of San Fernando CID officers led by Cpl Derek Matthew Noel.

According to reports, the officers were on mobile patrol along Drayton Street, San Fernando, when they spotted the suspect. His peculiar movements aroused the officers’ suspicions and they stopped their vehicle and approached the suspect who tried to run, but was held. During a search, the officers found a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition in one of the man’s pants pockets. A small quantity of marijuana was also found. The suspect was arrested and taken to the San Fernando CID. Some time later, Chaguanas CID officers arrived to question him in connection with Punch’s murder and up to late yesterday, he was still being questioned by police officers.