2 months ago
8
,Anna-Lisa Paul
Senior Reporter
Hours after Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh was robbed of a gold bracelet at gunpoint, senior police officials sent a warning to the perpetrators: “We are coming after you.”
In a strongly worded voice note yesterday, in which she urged the perpetrators to surrender to the authorities, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Investigations and Intelligence, Suzette Martin, confirmed that several persons have been assisting with the investigations.
Two men from St Paul Street, Port-of-Spain, were reportedly detained and the blue Hyundai Elantra allegedly used in the getaway on Tuesday was seized.
Condemning what she described as a brazen robbery, Martin said, “To those who were involved in this crime, my best advice to you is to turn yourself in with your attorney, relative or friend. Rest assured, we are coming after you.”
Martin assured: “A thorough investigation is already underway and all efforts are being made to swiftly apprehend those responsible.”
She added that the T&T Police Service (TTPS) would “ensure that all involved in this crime face the full brunt of the law” and firearm-related offences, which are serious criminal acts involving violence, “would not be tolerated in any form.”
“The safety and security of all citizens, including public officials, remains the utmost priority of the TTPS,” Martin said.
Deyalsingh, 66, was sitting outside Nyabinghi Bar, at the corner of Abercromby and King Streets, St Joseph, at 4.55 pm on Tuesday when two men walked up. One of them placed a gun to his head and demanded that he hand over his gold bera.
An overhead security camera at the intersection is believed to have captured the robbery but police officers have requested additional CCTV footage from businesses in the vicinity.
Reports of the robbery spread rapidly minutes after a recording was posted on social media, in which Deyalsingh was heard telling the person on the other end, after letting them know what had happened, “Just letting you know where crime has reached.”
Deyalsingh regularly meets and chats with constituents at the popular liming spot.
In the community yesterday, businesses were open as usual.
One woman said the incident had left her shaken and the business where she worked closed earlier than usual on Tuesday following the robbery and opened earlier yesterday. She said the area had been quiet within recent months.
The owner of a small grocery nearby said he had been robbed in June.
“Up to now, nobody come to help me,” he said.
Another business owner said the incident was sad and scary but was the reality many citizens are living with daily.
“Every day I go out there, there is a fear it could happen to me. His utterances show how far removed he is from reality right now. This is a regular thing,” he said.
The businessman, who did not want to be identified, commended the police for their quick work in detaining two suspects but said it was sad that officers do not work with the same diligence when other citizens are robbed and assaulted.
“What made his life more valuable?” he asked. (See Page 7)
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