Loaded pistol seized — Bandit shot by police

A LOADED Baretta .32 semi-automatic pistol was seized by Southern Division police after they held one of two bandits following a shoot out at a Gasparillo gas station yesterday.

Up to late yesterday evening, the injured suspect was undergoing surgery at San Fernando General Hospital while police have launched a manhunt for his cohort. According to reports, around midday, a party of Gasparillo police officers, led by Sgt Blackman and including PCs Teeluck and Singh, were on mobile patrol along the Williamsville Main Road when they received a wireless  All Points Bulletin (APB) advising them of a robbery in progress at the NP gas station in Gasparillo. The officers responded to the APB and as they approached the gas station, they spotted the two bandits in the process of forcing the gas station manager to hand over the morning’s earnings. On seeing the approaching police vehicle, the bandits opened gunfire with officers taking cover and returning fire. One of the suspects slumped to the ground while the other ran off.

The officers quickly held the suspect and retrieved a Baretta .32 pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition. The suspect, a 20-year-old from McLeod Trace, Freeport, was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where, up to news time, preparations were being made for him to undergo surgery to remove a bullet lodged in his left arm. A team of officers coordinated by Southern Division Head Snr Supt Desmond Lambert, led by Supt Maharaj and including Sgt Blackman and others, visited the scene and recorded statements from several persons. Supt Maharaj is continuing investigations.