Staff and patrons huddled in fear during a robbery of a casino in Debe yesterday in what police believed could have been a hostage situation.
Unsure whether the three bandits were still inside the Instant Winner Private Member Club, officers surrounded the building, but they had already escaped in an AD wagon. A suspect was arrested a short distance away at Mohess Road, while the other two are still on the run.
Traffic was diverted as more than 15 police vehicles and scores of officers converged at the scene along the S.S Erin Road.
The drama began to unfold at around 11.05 am when three men, including one armed with a gun, entered the private club and announced a hold-up. They robbed patrons and employees of cash and other valuables before locking them to the washroom area of the building.
The owner of the club was alerted and immediately called the police. Officers from the San Fernando CID, Guard and Emergency Branch, Southern Division Task Force, Emergency Response Patrol, Highway Patrol South and the Barrackpore and Ste. Madeleine Police Stations responded. The building was surrounded and the assistance of the Multi-Optional Policing Section was requested to provide a negotiator in the event of a hostage situation.
On learning that the bandits had fled the scene, the officers proceeded cautiously into the building and brought the people who were inside out safely. They then searched the area which resulted in the arrest of a 23-year-old Chaguanas man. Police found a quantity of cash and other valuables which were stolen during the robbery in his possession.
The owner of the club, who did not wish to be identified, said three bandits came to the door of the establishment and rang the bell. When the security guard came out, they pointed a firearm at him. One of them remained at the door while everyone inside was taken into the male washroom.
“They proceeded to rob the place, took the DVR and whatever. They made a mad dash and left,” the club owner said
He added: “We did not know what was happening because eyes went out (surveillance camera) so the police did not want to take the chance that they might walk into a gunfight, because the alarm in another section was going off. We did not know if there was movement in that area. We were unable to tell.”
He could not say how much money was stolen. However, he praised the police for their quick response and how they handled the situation.
The owner said the assailants were at the casino last week pretending to be customers.
A visibly distraught worker said: “It was really horrible. All I could think about was my baby and everybody else.”
She said she begged the bandits not to hurt anyone.
The owner, who said some time ago there was an attempted robbery at the casino, said he is fed up with the situation in the country and has now made up his mind to migrate with his family.
“I was looking at leaving the country. To be honest with you my wife was fighting me on this. We think we going full circle with that (now). We moving on.
San Fernando police are continuing investigations.