Murder suspect held in police exercise

A murder suspect was among 22 persons held during a police exercise in Princes Town yesterday morning. The 19-year-old, of King Street, Princes Town, was arrested in connection with the murder of Gerry Rooplal. The teenager was chopped on his head in an apparent attempt to behead him, on August 6. His body was found under a house at Graves Street, Princes Town, near a track which he used as a shortcut to his home. Police suspect a drug link to the killing, but his relatives believe Rooplal may have witnessed some illegal activity.

The suspect is expected to be placed on several identification parades. Carried out between midnight and 8 am yesterday, the exercise also netted 11 persons for narcotics possession, five for robberies, four for break-ins and one on an outstanding warrant. Some 60 tickets were also issued  for various traffic offences.