4 NABBED AFTER MURDER

Officers on patrol intercepted a car which was speeding along the North Coast Road with no headlights on. They held two men and spotted fresh bloodstains inside the vehicle. The victims have been identified as Kimberly Lewis, 24, and Jonathan Garcia, 22, who collectively were chopped over 30 times.

Police are working on a theory that Garcia was the intended target as he and a group of men had an altercation shortly before the incident. Police said that at 10 pm, the men armed with cutlasses, forced their way into Lewis’ wooden house and chopped the couple.

Police under the supervision of ASP Sooker, who were on patrol in Maracas near Uncle Sam’s Bar along the North Coast Road, saw a car proceeding with no headlight on. On nearing the roadblock, the driver made a sudden left turn on to White Street as police gave chase.

Officers forced the car to a stop and held a 31-year-old man from Santa Cruz and a 17-year-old from Paramin, as they were trying to exit the car. Officers were later told that a man and woman had just been chopped in a shack.

Police later held a 26-year-old man from Maraval and a 25-yearold man from Tyrico, in relation to the incident.

As the officers were proceeding towards Tyrico Bay, with the four handcuffed suspects, they found a heavily-bleeding Garcia staggering along the roadside trying to flag down vehicles. Garcia led the officers to his home where police found Lewis on the floor.

Both were taken to the Port-of- Spain General Hospital where Lewis died at 11.40 pm.

An autopsy yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James confirmed that Lewis died as a result of shock and haemorrhaging consistent with multiple chop wounds. Her relatives expressed shock over her murder, describing her as a sweet and friendly young woman. Mother Shaffina Lewis said the last time she spoke to her daughter in person was three weeks ago, but added they would converse regularly over the phone.

Relatives said the couple got married under Muslim rites three years ago. Lewis is expected to be cremated tomorrow following a funeral service. Investigations are continuing.