Carjacking in Claxton Bay

SHERMAINE MC NICOLLS, the 11-year-old daughter of Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls escaped being abducted by jumping out of a relative’s car while it was being stolen by a man in Claxton Bay yesterday.

Shermaine of Torrib Trace in New Grant started screaming in the front passenger seat when a stranger jumped into the driver’s seat of the car owned by her cousin’s wife. Mc Nicolls opened the door and jumped out as the man started the car and sped off.

The incident occurred at about 7.45 am in front Seepersad’s Supermarket in Plaisance Park, Claxton Bay.

In court yesterday, Mc Nicolls thanked God for keeping his daughter safe. “Prayer is the answer and it always works,” a relieved Mc Nicolls told the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court.

According to police reports, Shermaine was in the front passenger seat of a white Mitsubishi Lancer which was parked in front of the supermarket. The car was driven by Danielle Mc Nicolls — wife of Chief Magistrate Mc Nicolls’ nephew - of Christian Drive, Plaisance Park.

Police said Danielle left Shermaine in the car and went into the supermarket to make a purchase. The thief jumped into the driver’s seat of the car prompting the frightened child to jump out of the car and run towards the supermarket screaming for help.

The man, police said, quickly reversed the car onto the Old Southern Main Road and sped off in the direction of San Fernando. Police described the child as being “very brave” to have fled from the car. She was not injured during her attempt.

“We are investigating the matter as a stolen vehicle incident. If the girl was taken away then it would have been an abduction. But I am glad she ran out in time because who knows we would have been investigating a kidnapping or something worse,” a senior Southern Division officer told Newsday.

Supermarket proprietor Suresh Seepersad, who witnessed the incident, told Newsday he was selling a toothbrush to Danielle, when he heard screams. “When I looked, I saw a girl running from the car and heading towards us,” Seepersad said.

“I thought the car was left in a gear and was rolling onto the road but it is when I looked, I saw there was a man driving off with the vehicle,” Seepersad added.

At Mc Nicolls’ New Grant home yesterday an unidentified woman with a heavy Spanish accent said the family had no comment to make at this time. “I am sorry but we have nothing to say on this morning’s incident. Mr Mc Nicolls is not at home and the girl (Shermaine) is resting,” she said.

At Danielle’s home yesterday, Newsday was told by her husband Shawn, that his wife was being interviewed by police. A police sketch artist interviewed the woman in an effort to get a sketch of the perpetrator.

“My wife is very traumatised over the incident and right now she is with the police,” Shawn said. Up to late yesterday police were still searching for the stolen vehicle and suspect. PC Bruce and Bicano of St Margaret’s Police Station are continuing investigations.