Tobago police are probing the circumstances surrounding the robbery and assault of a vacationing Canadian couple in Black Rock last Saturday.
According to reports, Ian Roderick Mc Mullin, 63, and Neena Mc Mullin, 65, of New Brunswick, were sunbathing at Grafton Beach when the incident occurred.
The couple told police they saw two men sitting a short distance away but they later fell asleep. However, Mc Mullin said he was awoken by his wife's screams and he saw a masked man, dressed in a hoodie standing over her.
He was then hit in the face by another man and the attackers both ran off. The bandits reportedly stole the woman’s wallet which contained US$15, Visa and Master cards and a cellphone. Following the incident, the Mc Mullins told police they subsequently saw their attackers walking away from them down the beach.
The couple was taken to hospital via an EHS ambulance for treatment.
Up to yesterday, two men were said to be in police custody assisting officers with their investigations.
PC O'Neil, of the Old Grange Police Station, is continuing investigations.
In a release on Monday, Tobago House of Assembly Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation Nadine Stewart-Phillips condemned the attack and gave the assurance the incident was receiving the attention of the relevant authorities. She also commended the police for quickly apprehending two suspects in connection with the incident.
Stewart-Phillips warned that criminal elements must not be given the opportunity to flourish and urged residents to jealously guard the island’s safety and reputation.
“We are a peaceful island with so much to offer and therefore we must not allow those criminal elements that are in the minority to determine the way of life for us law-abiding citizens. Targeting innocent men and women who are visiting our island is counterproductive to what we are working hard to achieve in the industry. These dastardly acts should not be allowed to take root in our society,” she said.