Cop hurt by fleeing bandits

According to reports, a maxi-taxi travelling west along the Priority Bus Route was side-swiped by a car that broke a no entry point at the Aranjuez Main Road at the PBR at 8 pm Sunday. The maxi spun out of control and hit two other maxis travelling in an easterly direction, causing minimal damage.

Four bandits dressed in army camouflage jumped out of the damaged car, while four passengers in the maxi, including PC Keeston Samuel, sustained injuries and were rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. The cop sustained injuries to his ear and remains hospitalised, while the other injured passengers were discharged.

Meanwhile, police captured one bandit, a 21-year-old man of Santa Cruz, and seized a 9mm firearm and 15 rounds of ammunition. A 19-year-old man of San Juan, whose driver’s permit was found in the car, gave himself up yesterday.

Investigations revealed that the men robbed a man of $800 at gunpoint at a gas station moments before on the Aranjuez Road. The robbed man filed a report to a police squad that was passing in the area, which confronted the men.

The men were pursued through the street’s of Aranjuez and ran into the maxi-taxi. The two arrested men will appear before several identification parades today, and are also expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today.

The exercise was coordinated by Insp David Abraham and included Insp Ian Miller and WPC Martin.

PC James is investigating the robbery, while Cpl Hosford, Both are from the Barataria CID is investigating the possession of ammunition.