Slain bandit identified

THE man who was shot dead on Monday evening after robbing the Western Union outlet located on the Foodmasters Grocery compound in Tunapuna has been identified as Jason Holder, 25, of Bhagoutie Trace, San Juan. His accomplice who is warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital after being shot by a “heroic” security guard, has been identified as a 25-year-old man from Maloney with several pending matters for similar offences. Holder was shot dead when he and his accomplice went to the financial institution pretending to be couriers, and announced a hold-up. The Sentinel Security Services Ltd officer, standing guard in the nearby Foodmasters grocery, responded and was confronted by an armed man trying to leave the store.

An exchange of gunfire ensued and the armed bandit was shot in his left upper arm. While that shooting was taking place, another man ran out of the store while firing a gun and was fatally shot by the security officer. Police found the stolen Western Union cash and a gun under the man who was later identified as Holder. Acting on information, police later went to El Dorado Village where they found the second bleeding suspect hiding in a drain. He was arrested and taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was warded up to press time. Police also seized an abandoned car which they believed was used in the hold-up and a dragnet has been organised for the capture of a third person. Meanwhile, a grocery cashier who was shot by a stray bullet in the melee has been treated and discharged. 

Police described the efforts of the security officer as courageous, heroic and brave. They said his efforts should be commended by the highest authority. Owner of the grocery, alderman Rohan Sinanan, was not around when Newsday visited the scene, but senior officials of the grocery described the efforts of the security officer as being very unselfish and showing total dedication to duty. The Maloney man is expected to appear before a Tunapuna magistrate later this week following several identification parades. Cpl Seecharan of the Tunapuna Police Station is investigating.