Cop shoots bandit dead

The dead man has been identified as Clinton Douglas, 25, of Phillip Trace, Tunapuna.

Police yesterday launched a manhunt for the two other bandits whom they believe reside in San Fernando. According to a police report, Douglas went into the garage located downstairs at the policeman’s Charles Street home. There were three cars in the garage — a B-13 Nissan Sentra, a Honda Civic and a Mazda 323.

The police report stated that the other two bandits waited in the yard.

The police report stated that Douglas tried to break into the Sentra, but was unsuccessful. He then tried the Civic and, according to the report, was able to pry open one of the doors. The report stated that the vehicle’s alarm went off, waking the policeman, his wife and family from their sleep.

The policeman grabbed his Smith and Wesson revolver and went down the stairs leading to the garage. The report stated that Douglas attacked the policeman, and the policeman fired two shots, one of which struck Douglas in the chest. Douglas slumped to the ground where he died, the report stated.

Douglas’ two other accomplices escaped in a red car.

A party of investigators visited the scene yesterday and seized a quantity of house-breaking implements. The officers believe that Douglas and his accomplices were responsible for several break-ins and car thefts in the district.

ASP Elton Noel, Insps Terry Khan, Fitzgerald George and Sgt Williams are continuing investigations.