A 51-year-old maxi conductor, charged with indecent assault, was remanded in custody by Her Worship Maureen Gafoor, when he appeared at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court, yesterday (Tuesday 3rd October 2023).

The matter was adjourned to 6th October 2023.

Police reports indicate that around 1:35 PM on Saturday (30th September 2023), a 17-year-old girl was sitting in a maxi taxi at City Gate, Port-of-Spain, when a man allegedly touched her inappropriately.

A report was made to the Central Police Station on the same day. Detectives of the Special Victims Department launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of a man, who was formally charged on Sunday (1st October 2023).

The matter was investigated by WPC Joseph and supervised by Supt. Claire Guy-Alleyne and Inspectors Boxer and Wilkinson.

The body of a baby was found this morning (Wednesday 4th October 2023) in a white plastic bag in a communal garbage receptacle at Bowen Street, Maraval. The deceased baby appeared to be full term and recently delivered. The gruesome discovery was made by sanitation workers who were making their rounds on Wednesday morning.

The body is believed to have been left in the garbage receptacle overnight. The garbage bags would have been taken this morning to the Beetham Landfill.

​Police are currently on the scene.

Investigations are continuing.

More on this as it becomes available.

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

​[Source: Trinidad Express]

The owner of Persad's ‘D' Food King chain of supermarkets and his wife were beaten and robbed during a brutal home invasion in New Grant early yesterday morning (Tuesday 3rd October 2023). The victims have been identified as 78-year-old Mohan Persad and his wife, 78-year-old Shirley Persad. The popular supermarket chain consists of eight (8) locations, including two (2) in Princes Town.

According to reports, the elderly couple were awakened around 3:00 AM and saw six (6) armed intruders inside their house, located at Sixth Company Road. The intruders are believed to have gained entry by prying open a window. They proceeded to beat Persad and his wife, tied them up and robbed them of cash, jewellery, two (2) registered guns with ammunition, and their Firearm User's Licence (FUL). The bandits also stole two (2) cellphones valued at least $6,000, as well as a DVR for their camera system.

The suspects then boldly left through the front door.

The couple managed to untie themselves and alerted the Police.

WPC Harripersad, PCs Harripersad and Harricharan, and other Officers responded to the scene and gathered evidence.

PC Harripersad is leading investigations into this latest home invasion.

President of the Supermarket Association (SATT), Rajiv Diptee, said the Association condemned the incident “in the strongest possible terms.” He said Persad is a foundation member. He also criticized the crime surge, adding that home invasions have placed the business community on edge.

Speaking with Newsday, Diptee said, “We stand committed and ready to assist the family. We would like to see what the authorities are planning to do, given the developments from the Budget as well as call for serious consequences to accompany these crimes.” He went on to say, “There should be deep and dire consequences for these acts. These acts on the elderly are crimes of opportunity because these criminals would have to know the victims and their circumstances and maybe an idea or conception in their heads that there is X and Y in the house.”

He said such victims are nationwide and called for a holistic approach to crime. “People are scared. Home is a sacred place. Invasions speak to a serious deterioration in the social fabric of our society. There is a loss of norms,” Diptee said.

Meanwhile, Moruga/Tableland MP, Michelle Benjamin, issued a statement on Tuesday following the robbery, in which she said, “It is indeed a sad day for the Moruga/Tableland community as they grapple with the shocking news of a prominent businessman and valued stakeholder falling victim to a vicious attack perpetrated by rogue elements that have been plaguing the area. The community had long looked up to this individual as a beacon of hope, someone who not only contributed to the local economy but also played a vital role in fostering unity and development. This brazen act of violence not only threatens the safety of individuals but also the very fabric of the community itself.”

She added, “The incident serves as an immense reminder of the challenges faced by many communities across Trinidad and Tobago, where lawlessness and criminal activity seem to thrive. It highlights the urgent need for the Ministry of National Security, local law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to come together and take decisive action to rid these areas of the menace of rogue elements. Community members must also unite in solidarity, providing support to the victim and working hand in hand with the authorities to ensure that justice is served and their neighborhood can once again thrive in peace. As the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Moruga/Tableland, I stand with Mr. Persad ‘D’ Food King and all other residents within my constituency; there is a collective hope that this incident will catalyze change. It is a call to action for all stakeholders, both within and outside the community, to re-double their efforts in eradicating crime and violence from their midst.”

​Investigations are continuing.

More on this as it becomes available.

[Source: Newsday]

The decomposing body of a man was found near the Fyzabad Presbyterian Primary School this morning (Tuesday 3rd October 2023). According to reports, a painter working on the school, located at Lum Tack Hill, detected a foul stench around 11:00 AM.

The painter and a co-worker followed the scent and found the body in a clump of bushes, approximately fifteen (15) feet off the hill. A tyre was found on top of the body. It is believed the body could have been there since weekend.

The body is said to be about five (5) feet, eight (8) inches tall and was clad in blue coveralls. The ethnicity is unknown.

Investigations are continuing.

More on this as it becomes available.

[Source: Trinidad Express]

Two (2) Special Reserve Police (SRP) Officers are set to appear before the Courts to answer to charges arising out of two (2) incidents of misbehaviour in public office, robbery and shop breaking and larceny.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), No. 8362 SRP Officer Elcid Jefferson Sammy is scheduled to appear at the Couva Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 3rd October 2023) 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 (DPP), Mrs Dougdeen-Jaglal. The accused was also charged with robbery with aggravation, two (2) counts of misbehaviour in public office arising out of the offences, demanding money and robbery.

Meanwhile, Police received advice from the Office of the DPP 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 (4) occupants, two (2) men dressed in civilian wear with their faces covered and two (2) 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, an Apple iPhone, a Samsung cellphone 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 9:00 PM 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 a DVR player were missing. He contacted the Carenage Police Station and Officers arrived, processed the scene, extracted video footage, witnesses identified and statements were taken.

Ag./Cpl. Benjamin continued enquiries and a suspect was arrested, and is to be charged with shop breaking and larceny.

Two (2) men are dead and a third critically wounded following a shooting incident in Point Fortin last night (Monday 2nd October 2023). The deceased have been identified as Azard Ali of Warden Road and Keith Roberts of Spring Trace, Warden Road.

According to reports, Officers on patrol were notified of a shooting at Warden Road around 9:20 PM. Upon arrival, they found Ali already dead behind the wheel of a Ford Laser. He was said to have been shot in the chest. Roberts was found dead outside of the vehicle. The third wounded man was taken to Hospital by Municipal Police Officers.

No motive for this shooting has yet been established.

ASP Mathura, Insp. Corrie, Ag. Insp. Joseph-Taitt and Sgt. Deo also visited the scene.

Investigations are continuing.

​More on this as it becomes available.

[Source: Trinidad Express]

Three (3) men, believed to be responsible for the brutal quadruple murder of the Peterkin children in the Heights of Guanapo, Arima, on 21st September 2023, are now in Police custody. The men were held on Monday evening (2nd October 2023) during a joint Police exercise in the Heights of Aripo, Arima, which involved a large contingent of heavily armed Officers from the Northern Division and the Homi­cide Bu­reau of Investigations (HBI) Re­gion II. Among the men held, one is believed to be the main shooter.

According to reports, Officers also seized an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, and an assortment of ammunition believed to have been used in the murders.

Officers are said to have monitored an abandoned house at the Heights of Aripo and subsequently surrounded and breached the house around 3:00 PM. The three (3) suspects were found inside the abandoned structure.

10-year-old Faith Peterkin, 14-year-old Arianna Peterkin, 17-year-old Shane Peterkin and 19-year-old Tiffany Peterkin, were all killed in a hail of gunfire when three (3) gunmen stormed their home on 21st September 2023 and shot everyone in sight. Four (4) other relatives were also shot but managed to survive, including a couple who used their bodies to shield their two (2) babies during the shooting.

Investigations are continuing.

More on this as it becomes available.

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

[Source: CCN TV6]

A man is dead following a shooting incident in Tunapuna on Saturday evening (30th September 2023). The deceased has been identified as 23-year-old Kendell Beharrysingh of Green Street, Tunapuna.

According to reports, Beharrysingh was standing near his family’s home around 5:45 PM, when a white Nissan AD wagon pulled up. Gunmen shot Beharrysingh several times about the body before driving off.

Beharrysingh attempted to run away from his attackers but collapsed nearby.

Officers of the North Central Division Task Force responded to the scene and Beharrysingh was taken to Hospital. He, however, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead around 6:18 PM.

Officers of the Special Evidence Recovery Unit (SERU) also visited the scene and retrieved several spent 9mm shells.

​Officers from the Homi­cide Bu­reau of Investigations (HBI) Re­gion II are said to be continuing enquiries into the brutal murder.

More on this as it becomes available.

[Source: CNC3]

“Security Officers are performing crucial and often life-threatening roles, especially during this unrelenting violent crime crisis, and must be properly protected and paid. The Government must utilize the National Budget to announce immediate plans to regulate and standardize improved working conditions for private Security Officers.” This from opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP.

In a Media Release on Saturday (30th September 2023), Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said, “The recent murder of a Security Officer during a robbery at Cunupia and the previous slaying of a young Officer at La Romaine are further reminders that such personnel are also a first line of defence in the midst of the uncontrolled crime crisis taking over the country. In recent years, several hard-working Officers, most of whom had young families, lost their lives in the line of duty. The treatment of private Security Guards as second-class citizens must come to an end as the Officers deserve greater respect and appreciation for faithfully conducting their duties of protecting people and property.”

She added, “Stories of Officers having to share unsuitably-sized bulletproof vests, working in unsafe vehicles for the pick-up and delivery of money and sometimes being forced to work double and triple shifts for minimum wages are reasons to act to improve their working conditions. The current explosion of bloody violent crimes has made the jobs of Security Officers equally more critical and dangerous. I call on the Government to work with the Estate Police Association (EPA) and security companies to improve the working environment of these Officers. There must be adequate provision of training, safety measures, relevant equipment and other resources, and fair compensation with essential benefits. A review of wages, including provisions for mandatory overtime payments, should be a priority matter.”

The Opposition Leader continued, “Officers risking their lives on the job should be paid more than any minimum wage and be offered benefits such as medical, vacation and overtime increases, when working extra shifts. I support the proposal of the EPA for the removal of taxes on lifesaving equipment, e.g., bulletproof vests, to make them more reasonably priced for security companies. This tax break should also be expanded to the importation of bulletproof security vehicles. A fund should be established jointly with Government and registered security companies for the benefit of the families of Officers who lose their lives while on duty, similar to what is provided to the Police who also risk their lives in the line of duty. Defaulting employers must also be penalized for non-payment of National Insurance dues.

The Media Release concluded by saying, “Security Officers are undertaking crucial and often life-threatening jobs, especially during this unrelenting crime crisis, and must be properly protected and paid. Monday’s Budget speech should indicate the Government’s commitment to this vital matter.”

A man is dead following a stabbing incident at a bar in Chaguanas early this morning (Saturday 30th September 2023). The deceased has been identified as Brandon Romain, aka ‘Marv.’

According to reports, Romain was stabbed during a fight with Spanish nationals at W.I Crew Bar around 2:30 AM.

​He was taken to Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Investigations are continuing.

More on this as it becomes available.

​[Source: Loop]