Cops recover stolen HCU guard’s pistol

THE semi-automatic pistol belonging to a guard from the Hindu Credit Union, (HCU) which was stolen from him in Laventille, was recovered yesterday in a plastic bag by a party of officers from the Court and Process Branch. The pistol was stolen from the guard who was accompanying HCU debt collectors in Beverly Hills, Laventille, mere days after HCU president Harry Harnarine expressed his willingness to lead his organisation into several “crime hotspots” to ask bandits to hand over their firearms. According to police reports, around 9.35 am yesterday a party of officers from the warrant section of the Court and Process Branch led by Cpl Sherwin Pantin and including PC Neil “Darkie” James and WPC Noel, were on warrant process enquiries in John John, Laventille, when they received information.

The officers went to an area near the NHA housing area where they started a search. They spotted a plastic bag hidden under galvanised iron sheets. Inside the bag was the HCU security guard’s stolen Browning nine-millimetre semi-automatic pistol. Head of the Court and Process Branch, Supt Wayne Gilbert, was called in by his officers and he in turn alerted several senior officers including acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Oswyn Allard. Besson Street detectives, who were carrying out investigations into the theft of the firearm, were also alerted. The HCU security guard, who police sources said was an estate inspector, was on routine guard duties with debt collectors who journeyed to Beverly Hills in Laventille on August 3. Around 1.30 pm that day, a group of bandits challenged the debt collectors who ran off, leaving the guard to fend for himself. He was subsequently relieved of the firearm by the bandits. A report was made to the Besson Street police and Cpl Rowley was detailed to carry out investigations. Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the theft.