Cops pounce on car thief, taxi seized

A senseless car thief, who stole a taxi at Cocorite Terrace, Cocorite, picked up four passengers, and headed to Port-of-Spain with the number plate unchanged, was arrested by a large contingent of police and army officers in front of Newsday’s Port-of-Spain office around 1 pm yesterday. Brian Johnson, the owner of the taxi, parked the vehicle in  front of his home shortly after midday and went inside to collect an item. Minutes later, a man was seen driving away with the car.

A report was made to E-999, and all police officers on patrol were alerted to be on the lookout for the stolen taxi. Sgt Hernandez, Cpl Rattan and PC Moore who were on patrol along Wrightson Road, spotted the vehicle heading into Port-of-Spain. Officers gave chase and intercepted the stolen car in front of Newsday’s office at Furness House, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. The driver, a 30-year-old Cocorite man with a criminal record, tried to escape but was soon arrested by the three officers. By that time, 13 other police officers from the Stolen Vehicles Squad, Highway Patrol, Anti-Crime Unit and Central Police Station as well as six soldiers quickly arrived on the scene to render back-up assistance to the three officers. The suspect was placed in a jeep, while the frightened passengers were ordered out of the stolen car.

They expressed shock and concern, and informed officers that they had already paid the suspect for the trip to Port-of-Spain. The four passengers claimed that they were unaware that they were in a stolen car. They were told to go to the Port-of-Spain CID to give statements as part of the investigation. Yesterday, the suspect who has several matters pending in court was charged with larceny of the taxi by PC Moore of the Woodbrook Police Station. He will appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate tomorrow.