Two Special Reserve Police Officers are set to appear before the courts to answer to charges arising out of two incidents of Misbehaviour in Public Office, Robbery and Shop Breaking and Larceny.
No. 8362 SRP Officer ELCID JEFFERSON SAMMY appeared at the Couva Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday after he was charged with Demanding Money by Menaces, along with other charges.
Sammy who was assigned to the ERP Unit of the E999 was charged following the advice of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Dougdeen-Jaglal. The accused was also charged with Robbery with Aggravation, two counts of Misbehaviour in Public Office arising out of the offences Demanding Money and Robbery.
Meanwhile, police received advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge No. 8436 SRP Officer WAYNE PIERRE with Shop breaking and Larceny, arising out of an incident which occurred in September 2023.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ag, Intelligence and Investigation, Curt Simon commented on the matter saying, “No one is above the law. The TTPS will guard its hegemony. Those within this institution who are bent on working against our ideals, will not be spared. We will pursue you as any other citizen with criminal intent. You will not be allowed to take righteousness away from this organization.”
Police records indicate that around 8:30 pm on 14th September, 2023, a man was at his home located at Old Southern Main Road, Couva, when a Police vehicle allegedly stopped at his home. He reported that one of the vehicle’s occupants, who was dressed in civilian wear called out to him and he went outside of his house to enquire. When he approached the vehicle, the man observed there were four occupants, two men dressed in civilian wear with their faces covered and two other men dressed in what appeared to be Police uniform. The man alleged that the men in civilian wear then requested $20,000, to which he indicated he did not have. The men then allegedly entered the victim’s home, where they took his CCTV monitor, one apple IPhone, one Samsung cell phone and $500 cash, after which they escaped in the said vehicle.
The TTPS conducted an extensive investigation, which was spearheaded by DCP Ag Curt Simon.
Suspects were detained and interviewed, which led to charges being laid against the accused. The investigation was supervised by Snr Superintendent Garvin Simon, conducted by ASP Ablacksingh, ASP Dipchand, Sgt Howard, Cpl Baboolal, with legal advice of Legal Officer Sgt Basant.
Whilst in another incident, around 9PM on 22nd September 2023, police received reports of a suspected break in at a supermarket located at Western Main Road, Carenage. When police arrived, the manager of the supermarket observed that the padlock she placed on the front door to secure the premises was changed. As a result, she was unable to make checks inside the supermarket at that time.
On 23rd September 2023, the owner of the supermarket removed the padlock to gain access to his business place. When he entered the premises, he made checks and noticed $10,000 cash and DVR player missing. He contacted the Carenage Police Station and officers arrived, processed the scene, extracted video footage, witnesses were identified and statements were taken.
Ag/Cpl Benjamin continued enquiries and a suspect was arrested, is to be charged with Shop Breaking and Larceny.