Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
Residents of Kelly Trace in Piarco say they are living under siege and are at the mercy of criminals who are terrorising them during violent home invasions.
Residents are now calling on the police to increase patrols in the area to deter these attacks.
Their call came on the heels of Saturday’s vicious home invasion and robbery in which a 66-year-old pensioner was set on fire.
The incident occurred in broad daylight around 1.35 pm.
A police report stated that the woman was at her home at Kelly Trace, Piarco when a black vehicle stopped in front of her gate.
A well-dressed woman of African descent then exited the vehicle asking for places to rent in the area.
The victim approached her gate to help when the female assailant pulled out a gun.
The 66-year-old woman was then forced inside her home by the suspect as two men came out of the car and also made their way inside the house.
The trio then ransacked the house and demanded cash and jewellery from the woman.
However, the elderly victim refused and physically assualted. One of the male suspects threw a liquid on her chest and then set her on fire.
The suspects continued to ransack the home and stole a quantity of jewellery including two gold bracelets, one gold band, three gold jingles, one diamond ring, five gemstone rings, and $4,300 in cash.
The suspects then fled in the vehicle as the woman remained inside the house screaming
The victim’s neighbours contacted the Emergency Health Service personnel who arrived shortly after and took her to the Arima Health Facility where she was treated. She was later discharged.
During a visit to the area yesterday, residents - who asked not to be identified - said home invasions have become a regular occurrence in the community. They described it as “the norm”. They said they are living in fear.
One resident said people are so terrified they are either staying out of the area with relatives or moving completely out to another safe area.
“We need the police to patrol both by foot and mobile round the clock because it real bad out here,” one resident said.
A senior police officer, contacted by Guardian Media about the home invasions on Kelly Trace, urged residents to be vigilant and report all incidents.
The officer encouraged residents to alert the police so investigations can be conducted and the perpetrators arrested.
The senior police officer also asked for the public’s help to find the suspects who carried out the attack on the elderly woman.
He also urged victims to pay particular attention to the suspects and vehicles used during the home invasions to aid in the probes.
Victims of home invasions are being encouraged to contact the police at 555, 999 or 800 TIPS.