Shooting supects at large

"Story taken from our C R I M E section."

The man who is now warded at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope and listed in stable condition is wanted on outstanding warrants for rape and robbery.

The suspect is also believed to be connected to the robbery of San Fernando Magistrate Lucina Cardines Ragoonan’s home, in Palmiste, last year.

After a series of car jackings in San Fernando in the past month, Southern Division officers got a tipoff the suspects were seen in Claxton Bay.

When the police officers arrived in the area, the suspects sped off, with the officers in hot pursuit.

Northern Division officers and a National Security helicopter were called in, and roads were blocked off in Arouca, and Tacarigua to apprehend the bandits, as they drove in a north easterly direction. According to police reports, at about 11.15 pm, officers acted on information, and a high speed chase began through the streets of Tacarigua. The streets in the vicinity were cordoned off by police officers.

The bandits drove down Dharaj Street, which is a cul-de-sac, with the police behind them. The bandits then got out of the vehicle, when they realised the road had no exit, and opened fire on the police. The officers then returned fire.

One of the bandits was shot in his neck, in the shootout, while two suspects fled the scene.

The driver of the vehicle was eventually arrested and will appear on ID parade.

A vehicle, a loaded .380 pistol, with four rounds of ammunition and two cutlasses were seized, at the scene, by the police. A dragnet is out for the two suspects and police officers are continuing investigations.