BMW seized, suspect held for cop’s murder

A 32-YEAR-OLD Longdenville man was detained yesterday in connection with the murder of Special Reserve Police Constable Clyde Best who was gunned down while on duty at the Anchorage Pub in Chaguaramas early Saturday morning. The suspect’s BMW was seized by the police. The suspect was arrested Saturday when officers from the Inter Agency Task Force, led by Inspector Joseph Honore, executed a search warrant at the man’s home. The man was handed over to officers of the Carenage Police Station.

Today, an autopsy will be carried out on the body to determine the cause of death and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson will give directions in the matter. Yesterday, the suspect met with attorneys, Godson Phillip and Theodore Guerra, SC, and briefed them about his arrest. PC Best, 31, died around 3 am on Saturday after being shot in the back by a man with whom he had an altercation. He had put the man out of the Anchorage Pub. According to reports, Best, who had ten years service and was attached to the West End Police Station, was doing extra duty around 2 am on Saturday, when he cautioned two men who were cursing and behaving badly on the compound.

Following the confrontation one of the men left, returned with a gun and began firing shots in the direction of Best. The SRP, a father of six, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, collapsed and died. Two other persons were also shot and are warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Police recovered six spent shells from the scene. Best is the third police officer to be murdered for the year. According to reports, Best’s common-law wife, Dadriann Rampersadsingh, had begged him to remain at home but he insisted that he had to work to earn extra cash. Investigators said Best regularly worked at the Anchorage and was well known by the suspect arrested in connection with his death. Sgt Jofield of the Carenage Police Station is continuing investigations.