A Talparo pensioner has been brutally chopped during a robbery near her home. Police said that around 7.30 pm on Friday, Margaret Estrada, 64, of Phipps Trace, Talparo, was returning home from a church service when she was approached by a man with a cutlass. Police said the man demanded cash and valuables but when she refused he dealt her several chops to the head and face.
Estrada reportedly tried to brace the chops with her left hand but two of her fingers were severed. Estrada's neighbours were alerted to the incident and when they came to her assistance her attacker fled the scene. The woman was taken to the Arima Health Facility where she was treated and transferred to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.
Up to late yesterday she remained warded in a stable condition. After hours of searching in the dark, residents and police recovered Estrada's severed fingers but doctors were unable to reattach them. There was a manhunt for the suspect but no one was arrested. Police are yet to establish a motive for the attack.
Superintendent Nelson, Inspector Williams and Cpl Ogiste of the San Raphael Police Station are continuing investigations.