Pensioner robbed of $7,000

A 71-year-old re-tiree of Bayshore, West-moorings was cuffed and robbed of a bag containing $7,000 outside the Ellerslie Park branch of Republic Bank yesterday. Reports revealed that around 11.15 am, George Gomez made a withdrawal of $7,000 as he was about to walk out of the bank, Gomez was confronted by a man who cuffed him and snatched the bag containing the cash. An alarm was raised but the suspect was not apprehended. A report was made to the St Clair Police and Ag Sgt Ajith Persad and Cpl Mahabir went to the scene and carried out a search for the suspect. Searches were carried out in Maraval, Dibe and surrounding areas.

Yesterday, police officers advised persons making large withdrawals to exercise caution when leaving the banks or financial institutions. They added that with the Christmas season fast approaching, several bandits will be on the prowl, trying every scam to rob and fleece innocent members of the public of their hard earned cash. Members of the Charlotte Street Vision Committee 2004 And Beyond also issued a call to members of the public to be on the lookout for persons using camera phones to photograph credit card numbers and Linx numbers at ATM  machines. Linx customers were also advised to desist from giving out their PIN to anyone.