Suspected thief held after smoked out

A 36-year-old Chaguanas man blew kisses to media photographers after he was arrested this morning after a standoff with police for almost two hours after a breakin at 51 Degrees nightclub and Town restaurant and bar to steal.
 

According to police reports, the man and three other suspects went to the businesses, located along Cipriani Boulevard, Port-of-Spain around 5 am, armed with crobars and power tools. Security guards were alerted to the noise and called the police. 
 

Officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch, K9 Unit and Port-of-Spain CID responded and surrounded the compound. By the time the officers arrived three of the men had already fled with alcohol and undisclosed valuables. A National Security helicopter hovered overhead during the operation.

The fourth man, of Endeavour Road, slithered into the ceiling of the building. Officers used tear gas to flush him out. After three tear gas canisters were used, the suspect, surrendered to police. 

Speaking with the media at the scene Snr Supt McDonald Jacob, in charge of the Port-of-Spain Division told the media that no excessive force was used to flush the man out. He denied earlier reports that there was a shoot-out with officers.
 

Jacob said from the information he had received the burglary did not appear to be an inside job.
 

Curious onlookers settled themselves at nearby carparks, cellphones in hand, taking pictures and recording of the activity. The drama which lasted about four hours increased traffic into the city as police cordoned off sections of Cipriani Avenue.
 

The suspect was attended to  emergency health physician who was on standby, before being carted off to the Port-of-Spain Criminal Investigation Department where he will be questioned.