Policeman arrested while on duty

He was relieved of his firearm by one of the arresting officers, Newsday was told.

He was later taken away by his colleagues to the Fraud Squad office in San Fernando where he remains in custody. A file is expected to be submitted today to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for directions on how to proceed.

Newsday learnt that the officer who has two years service, was wanted in connection with multiple counts of forgery including uttering false documents, obtaining credit via a valuable security (altering cheques and cashing it), larceny and money laundering.

At 9 am yesterday, police sources said, under the leadership of Ag Snr Supt Totaram Dookie who is the Head of Fraud Squad, a team of officers including Sgt Bachoo, Cpls Badree, Bassarath and WPC Adams went to the San Fernando Police Station and placed the surprised constable under arrest.

Following the arrest, two houses -- one in Ramnanan Street, Marabella and the other in Lower Hillside, San Fernando -- were searched and a number of household appliances seized. It is believed the items were purchased with money falsely obtained. The officer, Newsday was told, has been under investigation for the fraudulent acts allegedly committed over a period of time against an elderly man known to him.