Soldier freed of robbery charge

Garnnes, and Thaddeus Caraballo, a 24-year old police officer attached to the Tunapuna station, were jointly charged with the offence.

Garnnes, of Tunapuna, walked free after Magistrate Gloria Jasmath upheld a no-case submission by his attorney at the previous hearing. However, Caraballo, of Talparo, will know his fate tomorrow.

The men were charged after Jason Grant, a Tunapuna PH taxi driver, who has a matter pending in court, reported to the Tunapuna police on January 18, 2005, that Garnnes and Caraballo beat and robbed him of a quantity of cash at Tunapuna Road.

However, in providing evidence to the court, Caraballo, a special reserve policeman, said he was dispatched on January 18, 2005, with three members of the Regiment, including Marvin Garnnes, to assist with enquiries into a matter involving malicious damage and larceny.

He said that based on information, they believed that Jason Grant was the prime suspect.

He said they met Grant driving his vehicle on the Tunapuna Road and, after ordering him to pull aside, made him empty his pockets.

Caraballo said Grant handed him three cell phones, a bunch of keys, and a quantity of cash, which he passed on to the other officers. The items were then returned to Grant.

Caraballo said when he returned to the Tunapuna station, he was told that Jason Grant had reported that he had been dragged out of his car, pulled by his hair across the road, and slammed on a gate.

He claimed he was also robbed of $800. Garnnes and Caraballo were charged with the offence.

At the Tunapuna Second Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Caraballo’s attorney, LK Doodnath, told the court that there was no evidence to suggest that his client was not on lawful execution of his duty.

Attorney Sabrina Dougdeen of the DPP’s office is prosecuting.

Jasmath will give her decision on Friday.