Police Inspector robbed of gun

A police inspector attached to the San Fernando Police CID was robbed of his personal service .38 pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition, a wallet containing $4,500, his police ID card and beaten while at a bar in Central Trinidad early yesterday. Sixteen patrons of the same bar were robbed of cash and jewelry valued at $61,000. Reports revealed that around 1 am yesterday, Inspector Samlal went to Salvo’s Bar at Laing Street, Chaguanas. While at the bar, three men wearing bullet-proof vests entered and announced a hold up. They robbed Inspector Samlal of the items and then beat him about the body. They then proceeded to rob the other patrons and escaped in a waiting car.

Officers of the Chaguanas Police Station were contacted and they went to the scene. Police investigators said yesterday that they are observing a trend where bars are now being targetted by gunmen. Several bars in Central and Southern Divisions have been held up and patrons robbed within recent times. Most of the robberies took place between midnight and 2 am. Senior officers said yesterday that they are putting certain measures in place to ensure that the perpetrators of those crimes are apprehended.