Calls are being made for the police to boost patrols at Hardbargain Village, Williamsville, after an elderly couple was beaten during a home invasion.
Police said Zoria Baksh, 60, and her husband Kamal Baksh, 68, of Riversdale Village, Hardbargain, both suffered injuries after they were beaten on the heads by two intruders around 6.20 pm on Wednesday.
Kamal is the proprietor of Caps Bar and police believe the three bandits might have been monitoring him before the attack.
They waited until his bar was closed before attempting to rob him at his home.
The house was open when the robbers—both slim-built, wearing black masks and dark coveralls—went into the house and held Zoria down.
She began to scream and one of the bandits began hitting her on the head.
Kamal, who was at the back of the house, came to her rescue and the other robber, who was carrying a baton, struck him on the head.
A third robber stood watch outside the house.
As passers-by and neighbours came out, all three fled through some bushes on the southern side of the house.
A witness, who requested anonymity, told Guardian Media that the police took more than half an hour to respond.
The couple was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital for medical treatment.
Officers from the Southern Division Task Force, Princes Town Police, Princes Town CID and Municipal Police responded.
However, the source said villagers are now afraid because of the increase in home invasions in the Princes Town and Williamsville areas.
“We are calling for more patrols because there are too many exit routes out of this area. So, in case there is a robbery, the thieves can flee through Poona, Esmeralda, Mayo, Piparo or even New Grant.
“This is not a one-way in and out. It means we are more vulnerable to attacks so we need more patrols,” the spokesman said.
PC Jugoon, of the Princes Town Police Station, is continuing investigations.
—RADHICA DE SILVA
