Cops nab 4 after Sando shootout

ONE suspect was shot and three others arrested following an early-morning shootout with police, after armed men were seen lurking on the premises of a fish vendor yesterday. Police believe the suspects were aware of the time Samshir Kisnatal left his San Fernando home to purchase fish and were waiting in ambush to rob him of his money. Investigators seized two revolvers and three live rounds of ammunition. The drama unfolded around 3 am, when a party of San Fernando CID officers led by Cpl Roopnarine and including PCs Sahadeo, Jaimungal, Heeralal, Mansoon and Louis, went to Donaldson Street, San Fernando, after receiving information from the E999 Rapid Response, that a group of men was spotted lurking on someone’s premises.

When the men saw the approaching police vehicle, they opened fire at the lawmen who were forced to take evasive action and return fire. A 41 year-old suspect of Lower Hill Side, San Fernando, was shot in both legs. The other men ran off and were pursued by the officers, who eventually caught up with them. Two of the suspects aged 32 and 27, both of Harold Avenue, Marabella, resisted arrest and a scuffle ensued with PCs Heeralal and Jaimungal sustaining slight injuries to their hands. The two suspects were eventually subdued and along with the third suspect — a 42-year-old man of Sea View Drive, Marabella — were taken to the San Fernando CID, where they were expected to be placed on several identification parades yesterday, before being charged. The two injured policemen and the wounded suspect, were taken to San Fernando General Hospital where the officers were treated and discharged, while the suspect underwent emergency surgery and remains warded in stable condition under police guard. Visiting the scene was a party of senior policemen headed by Snr Supt Desmond Lambert, Supt Maharaj, Insp Brerton and Sgt Bellingy. Investigations are continuing.