Cops foil robber’s escape

QUICK action yesterday morning by officers of the San Juan Sub Station resulted in the arrest of a man and the seizure of a .38 revolver and five live rounds of .38 ammunition.

The 22-year-old Long Circular man had only 20 minutes before held up and robbed Aufiad Baksh at his businessplace, Mount Hope Sawmill, of $973. The robbery occurred around 8.15 am and police sources said after the robbery, the perpetrator jumped into a red band maxi taxi which was heading in a westerly direction along the Eastern Main Road, in the vicinity of the Croisee. Police said PCs Timothy, Pitre and Carr of the San Juan Sub Station were on foot patrol duty on the Priority Bus Route, also in the vicinity of the Croisee. The officers then heard a broadcast on the wireless about the armed robbery in Mount Hope.  Police said the three uniformed officers then crossed the PBR onto the Eastern Main Road, and intercepted a maxi taxi around 8.35am.

The alleged robber was held in the maxi taxi and the firearm and ammunition were reportedly found in his possession.  A quantity of cash believed to be a portion of the stolen loot was also found. The suspect was arrested and first taken to the San Juan Police Station after which he was transported to the St Joseph Police Station. Officers of the San Juan Sub Station were high in praise for the three officers and suggested that they be rewarded for their keen powers of observation. Acting Cpl Bernard of the St Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is investigating.