Off-duty cops nab purse snatcher

QUICK work by two off-duty officers from police Highway Patrol resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old Laventille man and recovery of a bag containing $350. Reports revealed that around 3 pm yesterday, Mary Ann Jones, a newspaper vendor of San Juan was selling newspapers at City Gate, when a man snatched her purse containing $350 and ran away.

Jones raised an alarm and PCs Christopher Dookie and Michael Mondesi, who were on their way to seek transportation responded to her calls for help. The officers chased the suspect who was held a short distance away and a struggle ensued. Both officers were cuffed about their bodies by the suspect who fought savagely in an attempt to escape. He was however subdued and placed under arrest. The suspect was taken to the Besson Street police station where PC Dookie charged him with larceny and assault. He is expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate on Monday.