Trinidad and Tobago: Six suspects shot dead in Couva by police following robbery

Trinidad and Tobago: Couva was marked by a dramatic event that happened on August 14, 2024, as a group involved in a recent robbery lost six of its members. The case highlights the increasing engagement of youth in criminal activities which is enhancing the problems of the Trinidad and Tobago policemen.

The series of events commenced around the morning hours of the day when a 68-year-old man of Otis Lane Extension No 2, Balmain, Couva, was attacked by three armed men at his home. The suspects at about 6:30 am gained entry into the house of the victim, with one of them carrying a gun.

They went ahead to rob the house of the elderly man, stripping him of his identity cards, bank cards, $500 dollars, and other pieces of jewellery. The suspects took to their heels on foot in the easterly direction on Otis Lane Extension after the robbery.

The events degraded later as the day proceeded. At about 11:35 am, acting on intelligence, officers from the CID Couva and Central Division Task Force (CDTF) observed a Toyota Aqua at Razack Trace, Freeport which they believed was used by the robbers.

When they got there, the officers met gunfire from the suspects and in response they fired back at the suspects. The incident led to the shooting dead of six people – five men and one woman who on being taken to Couva Health Facility, were certified dead on arrival.

The deceased suspects were Jovan Simon, 31, from Diamond Village, Claxton Bay and Nelson Street, Perseverance, Couva; a 16-year-old female from George Street, La Romaine; Nicholas Caesar; Saleem John, 19, from Sum Hill, Claxton Bay; Kevon John, 23, also from Sum Hill, Claxton Bay and Isaiah Olivierre, 21, from Maturita Marie.

Even more strikingly, four of the deceased did not even reach the age of twenty-five.

Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher pointed out the concern in regard to young persons and crime. She made a lot of fuss of the increasing trend and called for collective action for which parents and guardians were urged to play a pivotal role in preventing the youths from embracing crime.

The Commissioner appealed for more intervention, which would involve youth so that they would not get lost in crimes and become inclined to criminal activities.

As for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, it continues to strive at having a zero tolerance towards home invasions, which are the biggest risks to the community.

Although this operation ends in tragedy, the police force will continue to strive to have members of the community put through justice if such crimes are committed.