Cops kill bandit after failed robbery attempt

A 35-YEAR-OLD EX-CONVICT of Claxton Bay, who was among three men who attempted to rob a grocery in Couva on Thursday, was shot dead yesterday by police officers. Police recovered a revolver but were unable to ascertain if it belonged to the dead man — Kelvin Balchan of Lodge Trace, Claxton Bay. Police said Balchan was recently released from prison after serving eight years for manslaughter. According to a police report, Balchan and two other men armed with guns attempted to rob Persad’s grocery in Balmain Village, Couva, at about 8 pm. According to the report, however, Balchan and the men were forced to flee empty-handed when one of the grocery’s female employees raised an alarm.

Balchan and the men drove off in a white Nissan B14, which headed along Balmain Main Road towards Couva. Couva police sent out a wireless All Points Bulletin for police patrol officers to be on the lookout for the white B14. The report stated that police officers attached to the Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) based at the Freeport Police Station spotted the white B14 along Southern Main Road, Mc Bean Village, heading towards Freeport. The CSU officers chased the car along the Mc Bean Main Road, Calcutta number 2, through St Mary’s Junction and into Bank Village, Carapichaima.

On reaching the Waterloo High School in Carapichaima, the report stated, the men crashed into a light pole. The men then reportedly shot at the CSU police officers, who returned fire. During the shootout, two of the suspects managed to escape on foot through a nearby canefield. After the smoke had cleared, according to the report, Balchan’s body was found slumped over in the back seat of the car. A 9mm pistol was reportedly found next to Balchan’s body. Insp Hubert Kirk, head of CSU (Central Division), is continuing investigations.