CLOTHES BANDITS NABBED

BARATARIA police came in for high praise yesterday when, as a result of their quick response, they were able to nab two clothes bandits less than two hours after they relieved a boutique of cash and clothes. According to reports, Candace Martin was conducting sales in her boutique at Sixth Avenue in Barataria at 11.45 am, when two men pretending to be customers pulled out guns and announced a hold-up. The men relieved the cash register of $111 and the proprietress of $3,500 in clothing.

A report was made to the Barataria Police Station and a team of officers under Sgt Abraham, including Cpl Bernard and PCs Phillip and Pinder searched the area. They arrested a Seventh Avenue Malick man, 20, who took them to a house where some of the items were recovered. Another 20-year-old man was also held in the house. A warrant has also been issued for a 21-year-old man of the area. Both men will appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate tomorrow after their appearance before identification parades today.

The men are suspected to have been involved in a number of robberies in the area over the last few months. Constable Pinder is investigating. In an unrelated matter, a security guard employed with Securiserve Security Ltd in Barataria,  attached to the Barataria Roundabout NP Service Station will appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today charged with larceny of a cellphone. According to reports, a female employee reported that her phone had been stolen at 4 pm on Monday. On Tuesday morning the officer, 20, went to his company’s office where a phone was noticed on his waist. One of the clerks quietly called the number of the missing phone, and the phone rang. The security officer was promptly arrested and handed over to the Barataria Police Station. PC Ramcharan laid the charge.