Turure man gets 13 years for robbery, larceny

A man who has a string of offences, was jailed for 13 years by a Sangre Grande magistrate yesterday. Roger Rodriguez, 36, of Turure Road Guaico, appeared before Magistrate Cheryl Ann Blake in the Sangre Grande First Magistrates’ Court charged with robbery with aggravation and house- breaking and larceny by Detective Ramharack Gadhar. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the charges and the magistrate slapped an eight-year sentence for robbery with aggravation, and five years for house-breaking and larceny on the accused. Acting Sgt Shaskara Morgan told the court around 7.30 pm on Saturday October 2, Cecil Wharton 62, of San Louis Road in Sangre Grande, was plying his taxi from Sangre Grande to Valencia, when he picked up the accused in Sangre Grande. On reaching the Turure Road junction, the accused whipped out a gun and put it behind the driver’s neck and announced, “this is a hold-up.”

The driver was told to stop the vehicle and the accused ordered him to strip. He left Wharton naked and drove off with his $24,000 vehicle and $160 cash. A report was made at the Sangre Grande Police Station and Detectives Gadhar, Nicholas Vialva and Anil Baboolal visited the scene. On Tuesday while the detectives were in the Turure area, they attempted to stop a vehicle when a short chase ensued before the vehicle was eventually stopped. The driver was ordered out of the vehicle and officers found a quantity of electronic items in the car. The man was arrested and taken to the Sangre Grande Police Station where Rodriguez was positively identified by Wharton. Residents who had reported that their homes were broken into and items stolen, also identified some of their items which the accused had in his possession. Rodriguez was cautioned and charged with robbery with aggravation, house-breaking and larceny by Detective Gadhar. Magistrate Blake complimented the officers for their dedication and the arrest of the accused.