A party of police officers had cause to open fire at an alleged car thief who was in a stolen vehicle at the time as they were attempting to intercept him in Sangre Grande on Tuesday night.
According to a police report, at about 7:45 pm the party of police officers who were on patrol in the area received a wireless transmission via the command center of a report of a robbery at Guaico Trace, Cunaripo via Sangre Grande area, where a motor vehicle, PCW 8144 a silver Nissan AD Wagon was taken away from its owner.
The party of officers proceeded onto the Little Cora Road and on reaching in the vicinity of LP 65 Little Cora Road Cumuto, motor vehicle PCW- 8144 was seen proceeding north along the said road.
The party of officers had a brief conversation and brought their vehicle to a stop. One of the officers alighted from the vehicle and proceeded to give instructions for the oncoming motor vehicle PCW- 8144 to come to a stop.
Police said the said motor vehicle PCW- 8144 swerved to the western side of the roadway in an attempt to evade the marked police vehicle, causing the said officers to take evasive action.
One of the officers saw a hand holding a firearm pointing at them through the right rear side of the vehicle PCW- 8144 and opened fire on the officers.
In keeping with the TTPS' use of force policy, and being fearful for their lives, one of the officers with his service issued MP5 # 7174, fired ten rounds in the direction of vehicle PCW- 8144, a second officer also drew his service issued pistol and fired 11 rounds in the direction of motor vehicle PCW 8144.
The vehicle then sped off in a northerly direction.
The party of officers gave chase along the Little Cora Road Cumuto; however, the vehicle managed to escape.
A short while after, information was received via a wireless transmission, indicating that the motor vehicle PCW- 8144 was found abandoned in the Wallerfield area off the Cumuto Main Road. The officers went to the area where they were met by other police officers and a comprehensive check of the area was made for the suspects without success. The officers subsequently returned to the area of the shooting and preserved the crime scene.
Crime scene officers also visited and processed the scene.
Enquiries are continuing.