Cops shoot fraud suspect in Tunapuna

A 37-year-old suspected fraudster was wounded while attempting to flee from police in El Dorado, Tunapuna, yesterday. The suspect, who police said had no fixed place of abode, was shot in his leg and remained warded under police guard at hospital. 

According to police reports, shortly after 2.30 pm officers of the Northern Division CID led by Insp Mark Maharaj received a report that the suspect, who had been wanted by police for several months, was liming at Captain’s Bar at the corner of the Eastern Main Road and St Cecelia Road, El Dorado. When the officers arrived on the scene they confronted the suspect, who managed to break free and dash towards his white Nissan Wingroad, which was parked near by.

Investigators said the suspect drove east along the Main Road and was followed by the officers. The officers fired several warning shots at the car in a bid to get the driver to surrender. The suspect was eventually shot in the leg and crashed into the curb at Mc Seveney Street. He got out and attempted to escape but was caught. When a news team from the T&T Guardian visited the bar yesterday, patrons and staff all claimed they did not notice the incident. 

“We was liming and hear the gunshots. It happen so fast we barely see anything,” one patron, who asked not to be identified, said. Police said the suspect, who is wanted for several offences at various locations across Trinidad, only suffered a “flesh wound” and was expected to be discharged soon. Once discharged the suspect will be handed over to detectives from the Fraud Squad. 

In an unrelated matter, two men are expected to appear in the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court today charged with the robbery of a 94-year-old cancer patient and his 65-year-old daughter. Police said shortly after 3 pm, the two suspects, armed with knives, broke into the family’s home and began threatening the two elderly relatives, who operate a small parlour which is annexed to their house at Jankie Trace, Las Lomas Number 2. 

When the relatives refused to surrender their valuables, the suspects grabbed the man’s daughter and began choking her with a metal bar as he watched helplessly. The relatives eventually handed over $800 and a quantity of cigarettes to the suspects, which prompted them to leave. 

Police said neighbours contacted them after they heard the relatives’ screams for help and saw the suspects leaving their premises. A group of officers from the Las Lomas Police Station, led by Sgt Nash, were on patrol in the community and responded to the call. The suspects were chased to a nearby construction site where they surrendered to the officers