A Laventille teenager has been held by police following a $2.5 million armed robbery at a jewelry store in downtown Port-of-Spain on Saturday afternoon.The 18-year-old suspect was arrested in East Dry River while attempting to flee from detectives of the Port-of-Spain CID, led by ASP Ajith Persad, who responded within minutes of the incident.
A quantity of the stolen jewelry, was recovered on the suspect and was later identified by the proprietor of Khan's Jewelry Store, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.The suspect remained detained at the Central Police Station, St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, up to late yesterday where he was being interrogated by investigators who were searching for his accomplice.
The suspect is expected to participate in identification parades later today before he is charged with armed robbery offences.According to reports, around 4 pm, two armed men entered the store, drew their weapons and threatened the store's employees.The masked duo then robbed the store of jewelry which included chains, bracelets, diamond wedding rings and other precious stones. The men then ran away towards east Port-of-Spain.
The detectives, who were conducting an anti-crime exercise nearby, responded soon after and managed to apprehend the suspect, but were unable to arrest the other, who escaped in a taxi. Investigators said that an arrest of the second suspect is imminent.Meanwhile, police arrested 12 people and issued more than 60 tickets in an exercise which was conducted throughout Port-of-Spain on Saturday evening.
Two were arrested after the lawmen discovered that the vehicles they were driving were stolen. The vehicles were impounded by officers of the Stolen Vehicles Squad.The others who were arrested by police were for outstanding warrants for unpaid court fines as well as on inquires for serious crimes which were committed in the Port-of-Spain Division. Several drivers were also forced to strip their illegal tints from the vehicles.
The exercise was coordinated by senior Supt Wayne Boyd and included Cpl Anthony Williams and PCs Porter, Hosten and Clarke.