Robbery Suspect Dead After Shootout with Police, 2 Others Caught After Coordinated Manhunt
One suspect in a robbery incident lost his life, and two other suspects posing as officers were captured yesterday after robbing a woman.
According to police reports at around 9.45pm on January 6th, a woman was the victim of a brazen robbery, in which the suspects allegedly posed as police officers.
The report stated that while the woman, an assistant store manager was driving home from work, along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway, Gasparillo, in the vicinity of the Petrotrin Pond, she was stopped by three men driving a white SUV posing as police officers. Believing them to be legitimate, the victim cooperated with their requests, and was forcefully taken to her place of work, where the suspects stole an undisclosed sum of money, then made their escape.
A report was made to the police, and an all-points bulletin was immediately issued which resulted in coordinated efforts by several units within the Southern Division.
Officers from the Port of Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who were on an exercise in the Southern Division, responded to the all-points bulletin and intercepted the said vehicle along the Cross Crossing Interchange in San Fernando.
The assailants who were armed shot at the officers, who returned fire in accordance with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Use of Force Policy. One of the suspects was injured, while the other two escaped on foot. The injured suspect was conveyed to a medical facility, where he was pronounced dead.
The scene was processed by PC Boodram, where 18 spent nine-millimetre shells were recovered, along with a bulletproof vest with markings “POLICE”, a purse, and a cell phone. The purse and cell phone were later identified as belonging to the victim.
Officers of the La Romaine Police Post continued their search for the other two suspects, which resulted in the capture of one of the suspects who was reported to be the driver. Acting on further information, the officers proceed to Cipero Road where the other suspect was arrested.
The arrests were a coordinated effort of members of the Central Division Task Force, Guard, and Emergency Branch, officers of St Madeline Police Station, officers of the South Western Division Task Force, and officers Southern Division Criminal Investigation Department.
Investigations are continuing.
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