Cops arrest four suspects and recover stolen taxi

ANSLEM REGIS, a  43-year-old Arima taxi-driver, became the country’s 105th murder victim for the year on Wednesday night, when he was abducted, robbed and shot once in the chest. He was then thrown out of his car by the killers who escaped in his Honda Civic.

A taxi-driver who witnessed the shooting contacted the Malabar Police and an All Points Bulletin was sent out to all police divisions on the stolen taxi. At around 1 am, officers of the Cunupia Police Station on mobile patrol saw the car with four occupants at Welcome Road, Cunupia. They alerted E-999 officers and the area was cordoned off. The officers gave chase and intercepted the car a short distance inside a road at Welcome. Four occupants of the car ages 18, 20, 25, and 29, of Morvant were arrested and a shotgun seized. Stolen items and ammunition were discovered in the vehicle. Fingerprint experts found blood stains in the car which matched the blood of the  murdered taxi-driver.

The four suspects will be placed on ID parades for other robberies, hijackings and murders. An autopsy carried out yesterday by Dr Des Vignes revealed that death was due to shock and haemorrhage consistent with gunshot injuries. Today, the police will consult with Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson for directions in the matter. ACP crime Oswyn Allard described the work of the Cunupia police which led to the arrests as an excellent piece of policing. He said he has recommended monetary rewards for the officers. At Pinto Road, Arima, Mary George, sister-in law of the victim, told Newsday Regis was “the saltfish” of the area and was respected in the community.