A 25-year-old United States resident who attempted to meet a man he had connected with on the gay Grindr app was instead assaulted and robbed in Port of Spain.
The Queens, New York native, told police at about 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, he went to upper Nelson Street in Port of Spain, where he met the individual he had been talking to for a couple of days.
He and the man walked a short distance, but the American was then confronted by a group of five men.
They announced a hold-up and proceeded to beat the victim about the body while demanding that he hand over all his valuables. These included an iPhone 13 Pro cellular phone, US$300 and a bag that contained his US credit and debit cards, as well as the keys to his rental vehicle.
The suspects then told the victim to remove all his clothing and ordered him to flee the scene naked, to which the victim complied.
He managed to raise an alarm and the police were notified. A team of officers led by W/Cpl Cobb, and including PC Smart and PC Bennette, responded.
The victim was given clothing and was advised to seek medical attention.
The stolen vehicle, a black MG SUV, was recovered by a team of officers from the Inter-Agency Task Force, led by Cpl Primdass, about an hour later in the car park at Hillview Terrace, Picton, Laventille.