Cops cordon off Frederick Street

HEAVILY armed police officers cordoned off Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, opposite Woodford Square during the busy midday period yesterday after being alerted by Republic Bank officials about three suspicious-looking men inside the bank.

However, after a 30-minute search, which included searches on the roof-tops of several businessplaces, the operation was called off and business returned to normal. Officers from Port-of-Spain CID, POS Task Force, Guard and Emergency Branch, Crime Suppression Unit (CSU) and North-Eastern Division Task Force under Ag Cpl Lawrence responding to the alarm around midday rushed to Frederick Street which was quickly cordoned off. Limers at Woodford Square were ordered to move towards the Red House side and taxi drivers on the St Anns and St James routes, as well as other motorists were forced to divert unto Prince Street. Armed with high-powered rifles and machine-guns and pistols, the officers went to the roof of the bank and adjoining buildings as they searched for the suspects. Police sources told Newsday they suspect the suspects escaped by blending into the large crowd which gathered outside the bank. Officials of the bank later confirmed that police were called out to “check out a report”, but no robbery took place and operations quickly returned to normal.