Cop beaten in Trincity

A police sergeant attached to the Tunapuna Police Station was injured after being beaten on Thursday morning while trying to retrieve money from a man who owed his friend. According to reports, Sgt Peter Dominique was beaten by three men with a broomstick and a piece of wood in the yard of ahouse at St West, Montegue Gardens, Trincity, while trying to assist a foreign visitor who is a friend of his family. Further investigations revealed that the woman, who had been living in New York for many years, gave US$1,000 and some items to a family friend who visited her in New York in 1999 to give to her mother who lives in Carenage.

The mother received the items, but not the money. After several phone calls, promises and travelling back and forth, the man admitted that he had some financial difficulties and had used the money, but intended to pay it back. That was three months ago. The woman arrived in Trinidad on Carnival Friday and immediately contacted the man who invited her to come to his house on Thursday and collect the money. She in turn contacted her friend, Sgt Dominique, who agreed to accompany her.  At  around 11 am they went to the house and the debtor invited the woman to enter. After several minutes, the officer, who was standing in the road, found she was taking too long, so he decided to investigate.

As he was about to knock on the door, the alleged debtor, his son and a friend swooped down on him and began to beat him while the shocked woman watched. The officer went to the Arima District Hospital where he received seven stitches to his head and was treated for bruises to his body. He later made a report to the Arima Police Station. Police visited the house but met it empty. When Newsday enquired about the attack, it was confirmed the officer was beaten but officers admitted they were stumped since the visitor had already gone back to the USA. Visiting the scene were Inspector Mark Hansraj, Sgt Michael Ragoonanan and Cpl Wayne Winston. Sgt Rago-onanan is investigating.