A foreign used car dealer is expected to appear virtually today (Monday 31st October 2022) before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate, charged with ten (10) counts of fraudulent conversion. Wendell Phillip, 34, owner of WEP Consulting Agency Limited, located on Diego Martin Main Road, Diego Martin, was arrested on 27th October 2022 and later charged the following day after investigations into reports of fraud totalling $392,015.56.

According to Police reports, during the period of August 2019 and September 2020, down-payments of $20,000, $37,800 and $35,000, were made by customers to a foreign used car dealer for the purchase, importation and delivery of two (2) Toyota Fielders and a Nissan Cube motor vehicle valued at $97,500, $76,000 and $70,000, respectively.

Seven (7) other persons reported that they made down-payments of $55,000, $40,000, $32,000, $22,400, $32,500, $106,315.56, and $11,000 for the purchase, importation and delivery of foreign used vehicles.

It is alleged that the vehicles were to be delivered two (2) months from the dates of the down-payment.

However, according to the buyers’ accounts, the foreign used car dealer failed to deliver the vehicles as promised and efforts to obtain the vehicle or a refund proved futile.

A report was made to the Fraud Squad and an investigation was launched.

Based on further enquiries, Insp Smith, accompanied by PCs Ramkissoon, Jaikaran and Edwards of the Fraud Squad arrested Wendell Phillip at a financial institution in Port-of-Spain.

Investigations were spearheaded by Supt Reuben and ASP Craig of the Fraud Squad.

The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is advising customers served by the Navet Water Treatment Plant, who are presently experiencing low water pressures or in some cases no water, that this is due to mechanical problems at the facility.

Emergency repair works currently underway are expected to be completed at 8:00 PM tonight (Monday 31st October 2022).

Affected areas include the following:

• Tableland, Libertville, Robert Village, George Village, Rio Claro, Rio Claro Tabaquite Road, Deep Ravine, Agostini, Clearwater, Cunapo Southern Main Road, Biche, Plum Mitan, Charuma, New Grant, Hardbargain, Craignish Village, Matilda, St. Julien, Indian Walk, Hindustan, St. Mary's Village Moruga, Cunjal, Cumuto, Whiteland, Poonah, Piparo, Mirne Roche, Princes Town, Manahambre, lere Village, Sisters Road, Buen Intento, Malgretoute, Williamsville, Barrackpore, Bronte, Borde Narve and Penal Rock Road.

Customers are further advised that it may take up to forty-eight (48) hours for the supply to be restored to some affected areas following the completion of repairs.

WASA notes that a limited truck-borne supply is available upon request. This can be requested through the following self-service options:

• Use of the mobile WASA Services App, which can be downloaded for Android mobile customers from the Play Store or iPhone mobile customers from the App Store;
• ​Use of the Customer Portal available on the Authority's website: www.wasa.gov.tt.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is seeking the public’s assistance to find a missing 14-year-old girl. In a social media post today (Monday 31st October 2022), the TTPS said Suraya Bodan of Indian Walk, Moruga, was last seen yesterday (30th October 2022).

Anyone with information on the teen’s whereabouts can contact the Princes Town Police Station at 655-2231, or 999, 555, 911, 800-TIPS or any Police Station or submit a report via the TTPS App.

A 32-year-old man was gunned down and killed in Marabella on Sunday afternoon (30th October 2022) after gunmen failed on three (3) previous attempts on his life. The deceased, identified as Nicholas Gajadhar of Monty Street, Marabella, was killed in a hail of bullets around 2:35 PM on Sunday.

According to reports, Police were contacted about a shooting along New Haven Avenue in Marabella. Upon arrival, Officers found Gajadhar on the ground, bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds about the body. He was still breathing at the time and bleeding out, which someone captured on video and shared on social media.

Gadjadar was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds about an hour later.

Crime Scene Investigators visited the scene and found seven (7) spent shells, which allegedly bore markings from the regiment. Police have not yet established a motive for this brutal killing.

[Source: Loop]

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), we are experiencing some sunshine with patches of cloudiness this morning (Monday 31st October 2022), producing showers in a few areas. Low level convergence associated with the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is still with us.

The forecast today is for partly cloudy and breezy conditions with intermittent, light to moderate showers or rain. There is also the medium (40% to 60%) chance of a heavy shower or thunderstorm. A partly cloudy night is expected with isolated showers and the low (30%) chance of the heavier shower or thunderstorm. In the event of a heavy shower or thunderstorm, gusty winds and street flooding can occur in the vicinity.

A Riverine Flood Alert (Yellow Level) remains in effect until 10:00 AM on Tuesday (1st November 2022).

The Met Office notes that a trough, analyzed as a Tropical Wave, is just to the East of Trinidad and Tobago. “It appears to be losing its Wave-like signature as it moves forward, and is more slanted (closer to being zonal rather than meridional) but, nevertheless, the low level convergence and perturbations, with the associated weather, remains,” the TTMS said. Dry air and Saharan dust is hindering some of its convection at this time, yet we still could expect increased cloudiness, producing showers and isolated thunderstorms out of it on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The atmosphere remains relatively unstable at this time. Please continue to pay close attention to the latest forecasts, alerts, and information issued by the TTMS.

A 7-month-old baby girl, shielded in bed by her parents, managed to survive a hail of bullets by gunmen who successfully killed both her father and mother. The incident took place around 11:30 PM on Wednesday night (12th October 2022) at their home at Woodbine Estate, Dundonald Hill, St. James.

The baby’s parents were identified as 30-year-old Korey Clarke and Samantha Patrick. Clarke was said to have operated a Mini-mart in St. James.

According to Police reports, when residents of the area heard the gunshots, they said they allegedly saw four (4) men fleeing the home. When Police arrived at the scene, a relative of Clarke entered the home and found the two (2) victims dead on the bed. The baby, who was crying and covered by the blood of her parents, was removed from the scene and placed in the care of relatives.

Speaking with the media following the double murder, Clarke’s father, Anthony, said the murders had left the families in a deep sense of loss. “We don’t know why anyone did this. Korey had a shop in the area where he would sell little things like beers and soft drinks and things like that. Now and then he would get contracts for URP to do some building in the area. And other times, he was helping this community out of his own pocket. You can ask anyone,” said Anthony Clarke.

“This road here (along Dundonald Road) he helped pave. He put up his own money for the carpark that residents in the area use, and he’s never even gotten the payout for that yet. He was still after the State for compensation, but he was never bad mind or vex or anything like that, so he didn’t even break up anything when they didn’t pay him. To him, at the very least, this was him giving back to the area that raised him. So for people to come and do this to him, I don’t even know what to say. You can ask anyone around here, he was a loving and well-loved individual,” he added.

However, Police said that Clarke was “well-known” to them as having an association with gangs that operate in the Dundonald Hill community in St. James, and they believe this may have led to the murders of Clarke and Patrick on Wednesday night. They noted in the past, Clarke had been the victim of a shooting in the area because of these links. His sibling was also a victim of that incident. However, both survived. Clarke also had been linked to firearm-related offences and one such report had even ended in a fatality.

Police said Clarke was not a “saint” as his relatives had depicted him to be when they were interviewed last Thursday.

[Source: Trinidad Express]

The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) is advising customers of South West Trinidad that a supply disruption is to be expected from 2:00 PM on Monday (31st October 2022) until 2:00 PM on Tuesday (1st November 2022).

This is due planned works to be carried out at the corner of New Colonial Road and Rochard Douglas, Number 2 Junction, Barrackpore, as follows:

1. Repair to leaking 300mm main in the vicinity of the Barrackpore Market.
   
2. Upgrade of interconnection at the corner of Rochard Douglas and New Colonial.
   

Areas to be affected include: Barrackpore-New Colonial, Rochard Douglas, Khanhai South and North, Oropouche South Trace, Jone Village, Nanan Trace, Congo Hill, Tin Pan Alley, Lower Rock Road, Rochard Road and side streets, parts of Clarke Road, Seemungal Trace, Jhulai Trace, Best Trace, Crawford Trace, Goodman Trace, Mulchan Trace, Bunsee Trace, Crawford Branch Trace, Halliday Trace, Quarry Road Morne Diablo, Teemul Trace, Naipalia Trace, Satnarine Trace, Ramsingh Trace, Upper Rock Road, Platinite Trace, Haggard Trace, Rebeiro Trace, Hope Trace, Mon Stewart, Cleghorn, Borde Narve, Carat Hill, Monkey Towne and Environs, St. Charles, Ste. Madeline, Friendship, St. John, Bronte and Papourie Road (Upper and Lower).

Customers are advised that it may take up to thirty-six (36) to forty-eight (48) hours for supply to normalize in some of the affected areas following the completion of works.

​A limited truck-borne service will be available upon request. For further information or assistance customers are asked to contact WASA's Customer Call Centre, toll free at 800-4420 or 800-4426.

Traffic Advisory

New Colonial Road, Barrackpore

WASA is advising motorists and members of the general public of traffic restrictions at New Colonial Road, Number 2 Junction, Barrackpore and in the vicinity of the Barrackpore Market.

This has become necessary in order to facilitate repairs to leaking 300mm and execute upgrade works at Rochard Douglas.

DATE: Monday 31st October 2022 to Tuesday 1st November 2022

TIME: From 2:00 PM to 2:00 PM (24 hours)

Motorists are asked to proceed with caution and to obey the instructions of the Police Officers on duty in the vicinity of the job site, since only single-lane traffic will be in effect.

For further information or assistance customers are asked to contact WASA's Customer Call Centre, toll free at 800-4420 or 800-4426.

The Authority is thanking customers for their co-operation during the period of traffic restrictions.

UPDATE (5:00 PM): The Caroni River has burst its banks in a compromised section of the river bank near Persad and Toolsie Street, Caroni Village. Flood waters are said to be rapidly rising at this time.

In an update issued at 3:13 PM this afternoon (Sunday 30th October 2022), the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) notes that river levels across major rivers and smaller tributaries of Northern, Central and Southern Trinidad are currently either spilling in some parts or close to threshold values.

A Riverine Flood Alert (Yellow Level) remains in effect until 10:00 AM on Tuesday (1st November 2022) for major water courses and smaller tributaries in North, Central and South Trinidad, including the Caroni, North Oropouche, Caparo, South Oropouche and Ortoire Rivers.

According to the Met Office, run-off from heavy rainfall earlier today is still causing levels to slowly rise and periods of rainfall are still likely over the next twenty-four (24) to forty-eight (48) hours. As a result, there is moderate risk to public safety, livelihood and property.

Below are the various river capacities as at 3:30 PM:

• Aripo River - 30% Capacity
• Arouca - 40% Capacity
• Caparo - 51% Capacity
• Caroni (Bamboo Settlement #3) - 77% Capacity
• ​El Carmen (Caroni River) - 99% Capacity
• North Oropouche (Toco Road) - 78% Capacity

Citizens are advised to carefully monitor weather conditions and river/water levels. Monitor updates from official sources and plan safety measures, including emergency supplies of food and water. Do not take unnecessary risks. Follow the instructions of Government Officials.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

A 20-year-old man of Duncan Street, Port-of-Spain is expected to appear at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court on Monday (31st October 2022), after he was charged with murder. The Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region I Office, conducted investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Anton Smart, also called ‘Redo,’ 39, of Upper Wharton Street, Laventille, who was killed on Thursday 20th October 2022.

Shakeem Griffith was then charged with murder, possession of firearm to endanger life and possession of ammunition to endanger life, on Friday 28th October 2022, following the advice of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Roger Gaspard SC.

According to Police reports, around 5:00 PM on Thursday 20th October 2022, in the vicinity of Subway restaurant, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, a lone gunman allegedly walked up behind Smart, and fired several shots at him, hitting him about his body. The gunman then fled the scene by running towards Charlotte Street.

The First Responders who were on patrol duty on Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, observed the suspect running East along Queen Street, with a firearm in his hand. They immediately stopped their vehicle, called out the man by yelling “Police,” however, the man continued running. A passer-by then immediately informed the said First Responders that a man was just shot on Henry Street. As such, the Officers, in a bid to preserve life went to Henry Street. On their arrival, they observed the body of the victim lying on the pavement, in a pool of blood, with apparent gunshot wounds about his body.

Police Officers then pursued the suspect, and on reaching George Street, Port-of-Spain, one of the Officers had cause to discharge his TTPS pistol, hitting the said man, who at the time was still in possession of a firearm. Shortly thereafter, other Officers arrived on the scene. The suspect was arrested and conveyed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he was treated for gunshot injuries.

The investigation was supervised by Ag ASP Simon, Inspectors Lynch and Mongroo and Ag Cpl Garcia, of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region I, with assistance from Officers attached to the Capital City Patrol Unit, under the supervision of Sgt Guerra, as well as Officers of the Firearms and Ballistics Section of the Forensic Science Centre.

A man was arrested and a firearm and quantity of cocaine were seized, when Officers of the North Eastern Division (NED) Intelligence Unit intercepted a vehicle suspected to be involved in the transporting of narcotics and firearms.

Members of the NED Intelligence Unit were on mobile patrol in the Barataria district on Friday (28th October 2022), when they received information of a Nissan B14 motor vehicle transporting narcotics and firearms, proceeding West along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

The Officers made checks and observed the vehicle in question being driven in a dangerous manner, North of the Maritime Roundabout in Barataria. They also observed the said vehicle make contact with another vehicle along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway Extension and failed to stop. As a result, the Officers gave chase to intercept the vehicle, which then turned and continued driving in a dangerous manner into the Barataria district, making contact with several other vehicles.

The Officers came alongside the said vehicle twice, identified themselves to the driver, and made attempts to intercept the vehicle. However, on both occasions the suspect pointed a firearm in their direction. The Officers, seeing their lives were in imminent danger, discharged their Police-issued firearms in the direction of the suspect. The suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wall along Jogie Road, Barataria.

The Officers then observed that the suspect was injured and rendered assistance. The man was immediately conveyed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex to seek medical attention.

When Officers searched the vehicle, they found and took possession of a Beretta nine-millimetre pistol fitted with a magazine, loaded with four (4) rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition, along with a black packet containing a quantity cocaine, with a weight of one kilogram.

Enquiries are continuing.