Businessman, bandit shot in robbery drama

A CENTRAL businessman and a bandit who attacked him were both shot yesterday, while two other bandits were captured during a high noon chase which started in Cunupia and ended at Grand Bazaar Mall in Bamboo Village, Valsayn. According to reports, three men entered Priya’s Jewelry Store on Chin Chin Road in Cunupia and  announced a hold-up. Owner of the store Fareed Baksh, 47, of Ramgoolie Trace, Cunupia, triggered an alarm and was subsequently shot in the stomach. The bandits then grabbed a quantity of cash and ran off. On their way out, they were confronted by PC Roshan of the Cunupia Police Station, who at the time was on foot patrol duty. The bandits fired several shots at the officer who escaped unhurt.

The men then jumped into a car which sped off north along the Old Southern Main Road to the Solomon Hochoy Highway. At the scene of the crime, Northern Division detective — Insp Johnny Abraham of the Homicide Bureau — was returning from the High Court when he was alerted by the gunshots. He gave chase after the bandits in his vehicle and a shootout ensued, ending at the Grand Bazaar where the bandits abandoned the car. Joined by other officers, Insp Abraham shot and apprehended one of the bandits, who is a former murder accused, while another suspect from St Joseph was held a short distance away.

Police quickly cordoned off the area and, with the assistance of the National Security helicopter and dogs from the Police K9 Unit, held another suspect who is 28 years old from the Cunupia district. The injured businessman was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he remains warded in a stable condition. Police also recovered a .38 revolver with two spent rounds and four live rounds of ammunition. A quantity of jewelry valued at $20,000 was also recovered. After the suspects are placed on an identification parade, the suspects are expected to appear in court charged with wounding with intent, robbery, possession of arms, shooting at the police and offences arising out of the failed jewelry store heist. PC Barrow is leading investigations.