Murder suspect among five held

A MURDER suspect was among five people held on Wednesday night by officers of the North Eastern Division as they continued with their exercises, all part of Acting Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs’ new war on crime. Officers, co-ordinated by acting Sr Supt Waldron Bishop, went to several areas in Morvant, Barataria and San Juan during the exercise. They arrested five people, among them the murder suspect, who is wanted in connection with the July 25 shooting death of Morvant taxi driver Carlton “Baldhead” Joseph. The suspect, who was held in the San Juan area, had not been charged up to late evening and was being detained at the Barataria Police Station. 

Joseph, 35, was gunned down while plying his taxi at Critchlow Trace, Morvant. Residents told police they heard a single shot after which they saw a white B-13 Nissan Sentra vehicle speed off onto Critchlow Hill. Police believe the assailants were attempting to steal Joseph’s car during which he was shot once in the mouth by one of the bandits.  He was described by residents as a “cool fella.” The police party also arrested three men in connection with robberies in the Barataria and Morvant districts while another man was held for possession of marijuana. All five people are to be placed on identification parades relative to other serious reported crimes in the country, police said. The North Eastern Division exercise was carried out by Insp Ancil Coa, Sgt David Abraham and several others.