91-year-old former senator robbed

Officers of the Arima Police Station are investigating a break-in and larceny of $.5 million worth in jewelry and $3,000 in cash at the home of former independent Senator Louise Horne. A distraught Horne told Newsday that she secured her home at Lopez Street, Arima around midday yesterday and went to Port-of-Spain. Horne said that on her return home, she first discovered the back door of her house forced open and on checking she saw the wardrobe in her bedroom opened.

The room was ransacked and jewelry valued .5 million dollars stolen. Envelopes containing $3,000 in cash were also found strewn over her bed and the cash stolen. Horne told Newsday that the cash was supposed to be used to purchase groceries, pay bills and for the general upkeep of the house for the month. She said that she dialled 999 and also telephoned the Arima police, but up until 2.15 pm, the police did not respond.

A cream coloured towel left behind by the bandit was secured by Horne to be handed over to the police to check for prints. Horne said that the person or persons who broke into her home appeared to have an idea that she kept cash and jewelry in the wardrobe. She said that nothing else was stolen from the house. “The bandit or bandits only ransacked my bedroom, and they came to my house just for the cash and jewelry,” said a distressed Horne. She said the jewelry has sentimental value to her and she is appealing to members of the public with information on where the jewelry is being kept to contact the police.