HIS wife pleaded with him not to make the trip to Chaguanas to check on his business place located at the Centre Pointe Mall, Ramsaran Street, on Local Government Elections night because “it was too late.” But Gerard Punch, 36, married to Shasmin one year ago, felt that it was necessary to ensure that his Photocraft and cell phone business place was properly secured, so he made the trip from 187 Main Road, Balmain Village, Couva.

But little did he realise that it would be his last business journey as he was fatally shot by four armed bandits who tried to rob him of his car and cash when he parked his vehicle on the mall’s compound. Punch, son of Eugene Punch, a former Supervisor of Caroni (1975) Limited, and Pamela Punch, ex-Principal of Holy Faith Convent, Couva, had a photo studio at Balmain which he operated for years. He had gone into the rapidly expanding cell phone industry as a distributor for TSTT, with branches in Gulf City, Aboutique Mall (Port-of-Spain) and also at Balmain. His mother said, “Gerard was a very ambitious young man, and I always admired his determination and foresight and his ability to move ahead in the business world.” She said that he had an “eye for opening opportunities as a businessman and there was no stopping him as his motto seemed to have been the sky is the limit.”

According to Senior Supt Philip Carmona, the Chaguanas Police are investigating a report that the four bandits were seen at the car park earlier in the night acting suspiciously, and when Gerard parked his vehicle, he was approached by the men for cash and his vehicle. A scuffle ensued and suddenly a shot rang out hitting him above the stomach. Gerard then attempted to run into his store. When he reached the entrance of his business premises, he collapsed and died on the spot. A security guard attached to Kam Po Restaurant (opposite the Centre Pointe Mall), contacted the Chaguanas Police who immediately arrived on the scene to carry out investigations under Inspector Raphael, and including Sgt Housend and Acting Sgt Ajith Persad. The body was viewed by Dr Teelucksingh, who is attached to the Chaguanas Accident and Emergency Centre, and was removed to the Forensic Department in Port-of-Spain where a post-mortem examination will be performed some time today.

TWO hours after Central businessman Gerard Punch, 36, was shot to death on Monday night, a 20-year-old man, who police believe may be linked to Punch’s murder, was arrested in San Fernando with a loaded pistol.

The suspect, of Fonrose Street, San Fernando was yesterday being questioned by Southern Division Homicide Bureau detectives in connection with Punch’s murder.   The suspect was arrested shortly after 11 pm on Monday by a party of San Fernando CID officers led by Cpl Derek Matthew Noel.

According to reports, the officers were on mobile patrol along Drayton Street, San Fernando, when they spotted the suspect. His peculiar movements aroused the officers’ suspicions and they stopped their vehicle and approached the suspect who tried to run, but was held. During a search, the officers found a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition in one of the man’s pants pockets. A small quantity of marijuana was also found. The suspect was arrested and taken to the San Fernando CID. Some time later, Chaguanas CID officers arrived to question him in connection with Punch’s murder and up to late yesterday, he was still being questioned by police officers.

Police suspect a drug link in the discovery of a badly decomposed body believed to be that of a woman in the secluded Back Bay area at Mt Irvine, Tobago, on Monday afternoon. Old Grange Police were alerted by a telephone call at 4.35 pm. The body, which was in a very advanced state of decomposition, was found in some bushes at the side of the roadway in the largely unfrequented, desolate area — far from the beach, ruling out the possibility that it might have been washed ashore.

“That certainly could not have washed up there,” a senior investigator told Newsday. There was a bracelet around a hand and some 15 vials between the legs of the almost skeletal corpse. There were also other “suspicious” items in the immediate vicinity of the corpse. Lawmen suspect it may be a case of something going terribly wrong in terms of the insertion or swallowing of drugs by a “drug mule” who apparently died or was left to die after possibly falling ill. Due to the state of decomposition, it also could not be immediately determined whether the body is that of a person of African or Caucasian descent. Detective Cpl Oliver Clarke, of the Old Grange Police, is continuing investigations. Meantime, investigators do not believe there is a link between the discovery of this body and that of an unidentified man which was discovered along the rocky, northern coastline at Buccoo last Saturday.

Up to Monday, the body believed to be that of a man of African descent remained at the Scarborough mortuary awaiting positive identification, after which an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death. Police were working on the theory that it might have been that of a man from Sangre Grande identified only as “Killer” who had been living at Bon Accord and is among three men who are missing after going on a fishing expedition out of Swallows Bay, Pigeon Point, on June 26. However, police sources reported that fingerprints lifted off the body do not match those of the missing fisherman. The body, which was clad in a white boxer-type shorts and wedged among the rocks at the bottom of a 40-foot precipice at the end of Battery Street, was discovered by a terrified villager who had been picking “pacro.” Police were up to yesterday seeking to identify both bodies.

Members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) were a bit relieved last night when Chaguanas businessman Woodlam Wong, who was kidnapped around 4 am yesterday, was released shortly before nine o’ clock last night, after a ransom of $50,000 was paid.

However, the AKS members were continuing in their efforts in trying to locate the other kidnap victim, Damien Schneider. AKS officers and Northern Division police found Wong’s blue Mercedes Benz   abandoned around 4am yesterday at the corner of Bellsmythe Street and the Priority Bus Route (PBR), Curepe. Its engine was running, police sources said. Wong, 46, of Santa Margarita, is the owner of the Chaguanas arm of Chinese Wok, located in the Mid Centre Mall. It is reported that Wong left his businessplace at 9.30pm Monday. Police said he called relatives telling them that he was going to a Valsayn Club before coming home. However, police said he never reached his home and his vehicle was instead found abandoned.  It is believed he was snatched sometime after he left the club. Wong’s family as well as officers of the AKS under Sr Supt Gilbert Reyes and acting Supt Henry Millington were informed, and visited the scene. 

Officers from the St Joseph Criminal Investigations Department (CID), under acting Cpl Bernard and others also visited the scene. Meantime, police said the people who have snatched and held Schneider contacted his mother, Maureena at least three times Monday night in an effort to get the $2million they have demanded. However, senior police officers have said that the victim’s mother is unable to raise that kind of money. Police also said that Schneider’s father, Martin, is also unable to come up with the money. Martin Schneider, police said, has not been living with his son and mother at their Sandhurst Street, Belmont, home for many years. The kidnappers had called Martin Sunday evening asking for the $2million ransom.  Schneider was snatched early Sunday morning near his home, after his green Toyota Tercel vehicle was blocked. His car was later found abandoned in the Beetham Estate area. Officers of the AKS and Belmont CID are continuing investigations into the Schneider kidnapping.

OUTGOING Commissioner of Police Hilton Guy said yesterday he enjoyed the time he spent in office and urged his successor Deputy Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs to continue the programmes he started.

Guy also said he would say nothing to contradict Snaggs, who had a double celebration, having turned 59 yesterday. “I support him (Snaggs) totally,” Guy said from his office at the Police Administration building. Snaggs, who joined the Police Service on May 6, 1963, was appointed to the post of Acting Commissioner of Police, effective yesterday. He has acted in the same position over 20 times, sources said. Snaggs, looking a bit shy while enjoying a toast with members of his executive, did not want to comment on his promotion, saying to the media: “Please no hardball questions.”

Guy revealed that his most difficult period during his five years in office was the fact that he went through five elections, one of which ended 18-18. “At times I did not know who was the government,” Guy said.  He went on to say that his happier moments as a Commissioner was the fact that he was able to change the culture of police officers into a service-oriented one.  He also said he was able to bring the police to the community. “All I am asking my successor to do is to continue the programmes I have started. He was a part of them,” Guy said, adding:  “I enjoyed it thoroughly.” Guy also said that he loved the support he got from the media, even though there were times when there were disagreements. “They (press) kept me looking young and it was a very revealing career.”

Among those present at yesterday’s ceremony were ACPs Frank Diaz, Celestine Richards, Nazamul Hosein, Deochan Gosine, Winston Cooper, Oswyn Allard and Sr Supt Dennis Graham, who was yesterday promoted to acting ACP (South), replacing ACP Peter John who also joined Guy on pre-retirement leave. During the ceremony, Guy assured the media that he and his executives were not “drinking on the job”.  He said they were toasting with Eva’s wine.

A BELMONT auto electrician was fatally shot Monday night in what police strongly suspect was a revenge shooting.

The murder victim has been identified as Deryck Sadees, 25, of Erthig Road. He was shot dead on some steps at Dennis St, off St Francois Valley Road. Police said residents of Dennis Street told them they heard several loud explosions around 8.20 pm.  The residents said they came out some time after to investigate and found Sadees lying on some steps. A report was made and a party of officers under Insp Glen Hackett, and including Cpls Emrol Bruce, Learie Barrington and Gary Edwards visited the scene and conducted investigations. Several spent shells were found.

Police said Sadees was shot several times in the back, neck and right forearm. A post-mortem performed yesterday revealed he died from multiple gunshot wounds. District Medical Officer Dr Low Chee Tung was also called in to view the body which he pronounced dead and ordered removed to the Port-of-Spain mortuary for an onward transmission to the Forensic Science Centre. At the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, a woman who identified herself as the deceased’s aunt, said she was told not to speak with the media. Police said they did not have a clear motive but were working on the theory that Sadees’ killing stemmed from a recent incident where a man’s finger was shot off. No arrests had been made up to late evening and Cpl Edwards of the Belmont Criminal Investigations Department is continuing investigations.

SOUTHERN Division police have launched a massive man-hunt for two men who on Monday abducted a 12-year-old girl and took turns raping her.

According to reports, around 11 am, the female student was walking along the Southern Main Road, Claxton Bay to visit a friend. A white car pulled along side the child and a man alighted from the vehicle, grabbed the child and dragged her into the backseat. The car then sped off. The child was reportedly taken to a lonely area in the Claxton Bay area where the men took turns raping her. After the assault, the child was ordered to dress and the men dropped her off at a parlour.  The child subsequently made her way home and told her parents what had happened. A report was made to St Margaret’s police station. The child was taken to a health facility where the District Medical Officer (DMO) medically examined her and confirmed to police that she had been sexually assaulted. Up to late yesterday, no arrests had been made and officers from the St Margaret’s police station are continuing investigations.

 

AS the magnitude of the United National Congress’ (UNC) overwhelming defeat to the People’s National Movement (PNM) in Monday’s Local Government Elections sunk in, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday admitted that he is prepared to resign as UNC leader at any time.

Flanked by solemn-faced UNC officials in Rienzi Complex on Monday night as the political endgame dawned upon the Opposition, Panday confessed: “I have always wanted to go when I reach this age, and I still would request my party to relieve me as soon as they can. That position has remained unchanged. The elections does not affect that one way or the other.” Following the UNC’s defeat in the October 2002 general elections, Panday said he wanted to resign and the UNC set up a transition committee to facilitate his wishes. However Panday retracted his promise to resign, after reports surfaced of talks between UNC members and former Attorney-General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj about the UNC’s post-Panday political future.

Reflecting on Monday’s results which saw the PNM gaining seats in every local government body and snatching the Sangre Grande and Siparia regional corporations from the UNC, Panday conceded: “The UNC has lost some ground and the PNM has gained some ground.” The UNC leader maintained that the PNM won the elections “through the digusting use of State resources” and the party would “fight like hell against it” both locally and internationally. He also claimed CEPEP and alleged house-padding undermined the UNC but seemed uncertain whether the Opposition had credible evidence on these scores. Panday said house-padding resulted in violence in several countries and cited the West Bank as an example. Panday dismissed suggestions that allegations of corruption against him and other UNC MPs caused the electorate to reject the UNC. “ There was no corruption. Nobody has been convicted of corruption,” he declared. The UNC leader added that there was “togetherness” within the party but the poker-faces of those seated around said different.

Party insiders said internal and external UNC forces have been working to ensure the party’s loss would be so severe that Panday would be forced to resign. They claimed with Panday removed, several sitting UNC members who have corruption allegations hanging over their heads would then be removed in a far-reaching, internal clean-up exercise.

A  beaming Prime Minister Patrick Manning noted in the wee merry-making hours of Tuesday morning as he celebrated his party’s victory in the local government election, that it  was the  first time that a political party in Trinidad and Tobago had been able to cross the ethnic divide entirely on its own efforts and not by way of coalition arrangements. “We did it all on our own,” a triumphant Manning stated, as party faithful celebrated having reached this high water mark.

Although buoyed by the historic achievement of having PNM representation in every council in Trinidad for the first time, Prime Minister Patrick Manning nevertheless expressed some emphathy with his opponent Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday. “We know that in politics there are ups and downs. You lose yesterday, you win today,” he told the crowd in Balisier House, which though was smaller than what it was last October, was just as vibrant. The PNM leader said he had always considered “the honourable Basdeo Panday” to be a worthy opponent. “A very worthy opponent he has been and the party he has led,” Manning said magnaminously. Only earlier Panday was on television taking comfort in the thought that if Manning could have “come back” (to office), so could he.

The PNM faithful was not so generous to the opposition party. As Manning announced that the party had won control of nine councils, the Opposition four, there was one draw, the crowd wanted even more victory. “No draws! No draws!” they shouted. “I know you want no draws, but the draw is in Rio Claro/Mayaro,” Manning said satisfied with what he had. He said Almighty God had “given you and given us a great victory and to him first of all I would like to give thanks.”  After 16 years at the helm of the PNM, Manning could now claim that his leadership had produced not only a  “break through” in the Hindu heartland and had also seen the return of Tobago to the PNM fold.

As he mentioned all the Central seats the party won, Manning singled out the two seats in Princes Town, which must he noted must make Minister Howard Chin Lee and Hazel Manning “very happy.” Both had worked in the campaign in that area as indeed all senators were assigned to work in an electoral area. In fact earlier an excited and exuberant Chin Lee had earlier entered Balisier House, singing: “Ah get two seat.” But it was the Chaguanas results that the party felt proudest of — winning 3 out of 8. “And we nearly tie,” Manning added proudly. For all this, he had a “junior” Senator Satish Ramroop to thank. To “our East Indian brothers and sisters” who formerly supported the UNC and answered the PNM’s call to multiracialism, the Prime Minister had this to say: “You have made no mistake.”

FORMER government minister Trevor Sudama yesterday declared that Basdeo Panday’s resignation as UNC leader is long overdue, and seemed to agree with Prime Minister Patrick Manning that Panday was lingering on the political scene “like an unwanted jumbie.”

Speaking to reporters on Monday night as election results came in, Panday said he was ready to go and the UNC’s second successive defeat to the PNM in two years would not influence the time of his departure. However Sudama told Newsday: “He (Panday) should have stepped down long ago.” According to Sudama, Panday should have resigned after the UNC’s October 2002 loss which was a clear victory to the PNM. He said it was not unexpected in that in the current political scenario, the PNM would have made the inroads they did into UNC heartland territory.

The former minister dismissed Panday’s charge of the PNM using State resources to win Monday’s elections, saying that all parties in power employed that strategy to win elections. Sudama stated the reason for the UNC being out of power was because of Panday’s “intransigence” and failure to deal with corruption allegations against his government. He predicted that Panday would not resign because of the predominant political culture which sees failed leaders clinging to office until they either “die on the job,” or are unceremoniously dumped. Sudama said Monday’s elections show “there is still a stalemate about how people vote” and people automatically voted along party lines instead of for candidates or issues. The former minister added that some form of constitutional reform must be explored which will “get people more involved in Local Government” again.