Cunupia police nab bandits in stolen car

Three persons ages 20-25, who are suspects in several robberies in Central, Northern and North Eastern Divisions, were arrested after a high-speed chase at Homeland Gardens in Cunupia yesterday. Officers recovered a .9 mm gun, seven rounds of ammunition, stolen cell phones, jewelry and other stolen items.

According to reports, a party of officers led by acting Sgt Danny Ramlogan and including Cpl John Barrow and PC Vijay Balkissoon were carrying out surveillance duties at Homeland Gardens around 7 am, when they saw a car bearing what seemed to be a false number plate. An attempt to stop the car set off a chase. When the officers finally intercepted the car they found a gun, ammunition, cell phones and jewelry. Between Sunday and yesterday, officers of Central Division have recovered three guns and a quantity of ammunition in three separate incidents. With the arrest of the three suspects, police believe they may be able to solve a number of robberies and other crimes throughout the country.

The stolen car was traced to an Arouca car-jacking Monday night, in which the vehicle was taken away from the owner at gunpoint. The number plates on the car were also verified as false. The suspects were yesterday charged by officers of Central Division. They were also interviewed by officers of North Eastern and Northern Divisions and will be put on identification parades for outstanding robberies. The arrest of the three and the seizure of the guns, ammunition and stolen items are part of the anti-crime initiative organised by Police Commissioner Trevor Paul. Police have launched a zero-tolerance policy against crime with the resumption of the joint army/ police patrols and round-the-clock intelligence gathering.

Seizure of the guns and the recovery of the stolen items were coordinated by Crime Insp Hubert Kirk and acting Sgts Ajith Persad and Mckenzie. The three persons will appear before a Chaguanas magistrate today. Charges were laid by PC Balkissoon. Cunupia police are calling on members of the public who have recently been robbed of their cell phones to contact them.