Man hangs self in station cell

He died while undergoing medical treatment at San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH). According to a police report, police officers discovered Alvarez hanging from a black cord tied to a metal bar in the cell at about 5 pm on Thursday.

Senior Supt Nadir Mohammed (Southern Division) yesterday told Newsday that Alvarez was arrested at 12.45 pm on Thursday for larceny. He was charged with larceny of a purse from Jenny Weekes. The incident occurred at Pointe-a-Pierre Road, San Fernando.

A police report stated that PC Ali of the San Fernando CID (Hom-icide) chased Alvarez and accosted him on Lord Street. After he was charged, the report stated, Alvarez was put in a cell in the San Fernando CID.

Police said Alvarez was the only prisoner in the cell at the time of the incident, but according to the report, police officers were alerted to a loud noise coming from the cell area.

The report stated that officers ran towards the cell and immediately cut the cord. A police detective told Newsday that the cord used by Alvarez was a waist band which he had apparently ripped from his boxer shorts.

According to the police report, while the police officers were awaiting the arrival of an emergency ambulance, they attempted to resuscitate Alvarez.

Alvarez was rushed to the SFGH where he was pronounced dead at 6 pm. The body was taken to the Forensic Science Centre in Port-of-Spain for an autopsy carded for Monday.

ASP Terry Archibald is investigating.