Robbery outside bank foiled as businessman fights back

A SANTA CRUZ businessman who was ordered to hand over his gun by a bandit, put his car in reverse, collided with a lamp-post, and then shot the bandit in the leg.

He then used his cell phone and alerted officers of the E-999 who intercepted the bandits in a car at Morvant Junction. The wounded suspect and the driver of the getaway car were arrested and a rusty .38 revolver and several rounds of ammunition seized. Police believe that with the arrest of the two men, they may be able to solve a number of robberies and hold-ups along the East/West Corridor. Reports are that at about 8.45 am yesterday, the businessman and his wife alighted from the San Juan branch of Scotia Bank and were seated in their car, when they were confronted by a man who ordered him to hand over his licensed gun and cash. The businessman placed his car in reverse, struck a lamp-post and drew his gun. He fired one shot at the bandit who was struck in the leg. The man hobbled away and went to a waiting grey Lancer. The businessman used his cell phone to alert E-999 officers who rushed to the scene and saw the car at Morvant junction. The driver of the car and the wounded bandit were promptly arrested. The driver was identified as a 24-year-old man of Tacarigua while the wounded suspect is a 25-year-old man of Laventille. Both suspects will be placed on identification parades for similar offences. They were charged yesterday by PC Kitson of the Morvant Police Station. ACP Crime Oswyn Allard visited the scene of the incident and heaped praise on all officers who responded promptly to the distress call from the businessman.