Increased police presence over Easter Weekend led to several arrests, reports Trinidad Police

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Two suspects are currently in police custody after they were arrested in connection with the murder of Alex Cooper, 22, which occurred in Scarborough, Tobago, on April 9, 2023, according to the reports by Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

The couple is two of the several suspects who were arrested by police over the period Thursday, April 6 to Monday, April 10 2023, as police maintained an “Omni-presence” when they conducted several operations and anti-crime exercises, providing safety and security for all.

The police force further mentioned that Tobago Division Task Force officers acted on the information and then went to a residence in Scarborough, where they arrested a man along with his girlfriend for the Tobago homicide. Enquiries are continuing.

Six persons are now in police custody following quick action by the North Eastern Division Task Force and the Barataria Criminal Investigations Department (CID). According to police reports, around 8 pm last night, six assailants entered a home located at Ramlal Street, Aranguez. The assailants proceeded to beat and rob the home’s occupants, resulting in a 15-year-old boy being hospitalized.

The police officers responded immediately to the report, and while on Ramlal Street, they observed an SUV heading west at a high rate of speed. The SUV then reversed as well as crashed into a wall. When the officers came to the vehicle, one of the occupants pointed a gun at the police personnel as well as shot in their direction. Fearing for their lives, the officers returned fire, according to the TTPS Use of Force Policy. The suspects then exited the vehicle, fled in different directions, and the officers gave chase.

After a short chase, one of the suspects was apprehended suffering from gunshot wounds and was found in possession of one loaded Glock pistol. He was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex but was pronounced dead on arrival.

TTPS added that the officers then received further information from the public, which led to the interception of two vehicles with occupants matching the description of the assailants. The six assailants, who are now in police custody, are suspected of being involved in several robberies which have occurred in the division. Officers also seized a Smith and Wesson firearm, a spent shell, and three rounds of ammunition from the area. Police also recovered a quantity of the alleged stolen items. Also, one of the vehicles involved in the incident is suspected of having been stolen, as it carried false number plates. Investigations are continuing into this matter.

Senior Superintendent NED Mervyn Edwards attributed the success to the Active Direct Patrols, the Grid System, and the work of the NED Operation Centre. He also commended both his officers for their quick action and bravery under fire, and the members of the community, who put the “See Something, Say Something” mantra into action. This, he says, came about as police officers actively engaged the community members through various walkabouts and town meetings.

Furthermore, it outlined that meanwhile, Emergency Response Patrol officers arrested two men in the Central Division in connection with a Robbery with Violence incident that occurred yesterday. Officers of the Central ERP Unit were on mobile patrol along Warren Road, Cunupia, when a vehicle reportedly involved in a recent robbery was spotted. Upon seeing the police, the suspects drove into the compound of a nearby transport company. The four suspects then exited the vehicle and started shooting at the officers, who returned fire. The officers then pursued the suspects on foot.

A 22-year-old of St Paul Street, Port of Spain, was found with a gunshot injury to his right ankle. He was conveyed to the Chaguanas Health Facility for treatment. Officers of the Cunupia Police Station conducted a further check of the compound and found another suspect, 21, of La Quesa Road, Freeport, hiding under a parked vehicle. Officers also seized a firearm and four rounds of ammunition and recovered the stolen items. Police are currently searching for the other two suspects.

Also, in the Central Division, police arrested one man and seized a quantity of cocaine during a roving road check exercise conducted in the Longdenville district on Sunday. SUNIL SINGH was arrested with 42 grams of cocaine and charged by PC Dass with Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking.

In conclusion, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service stated that three persons were arrested for being in possession of ammunition after police executed a search warrant at a home located at Eastern Quarry Road, Laventille. When the officers searched the premises, they found 35 rounds of ammunition. Investigations are continuing.