Police seize 20 stolen vehicles

Officers of the Stolen Vehicles Squad, based at the Port-of-Spain CID, have recovered 20 vehicles which are believed to have been stolen. Four persons, two businessmen from Rousillac and Penal and two mechanics from Diego Martin, were arrested in connection with the larceny of the vehicles.

The vehicles seized include three B-14s, three B-13s, one B11, one CRV, eight Mazda pick-ups, a Honda Civic, and two Hyundai Accents.
All the seized vehicles were found at various homes in Penal, Rousillac, Diego Martin, Chaguanas, San Fernando and Couva. Police officers told Newsday that more arrests are imminent and they have information that several of the persons involved in the vehicle stealing racket are so well organised that they have a clientele. In several instances, persons with crashed vehicles approach these people for parts and a crashed vehicle is then repaired and returned to the roads.

A senior officer said yesterday that they have started to target the distributors of the stolen parts in a bid to get to the persons who are actually involved in the vehicle stealing racket. “We are asking members of the public to be cautious when purchasing parts because those parts could be tampered with,” said the senior officer. He added that members of the public who are desirous of purchasing used vehicles should bring the vehicle to the Stolen Vehicles Squad to have it thoroughly checked. This service is free of charge and according to the senior officer, it could save members of the public a lot of money and even possible prosecution.

Yesterday, the stolen vehicles seized in the raids were towed to the Central Police Station for viewing by members of the public. The officers are hoping that the persons who have lost their vehicles can identify them at the Central Police Station on Wrightson Road. They are also hoping that the eight Mazda pick-ups seized will be identified. The raids were co-ordinated by Supt Errol Denoon and led by Inspector Lennard Gay. Other officers included Cpls Dollaway, Baptiste, Bharat and others.