Bandits surrender to police

Two men were arrested following a robbery at a fashion store in Couva yesterday. The men, both in their 20s, are from Maloney and Oropune Gardens, Piarco. Police are searching for a third suspect who escaped with a cell phone and an undisclosed sum of cash.

The incident happened a stone’s throw away from the Couva Police Station. The men were arrested moments after they entered J&J Fashions on Southern Main Road, Couva and soon after announcing a hold-up, escorted the owner to a back room where he was held hostage.

At about 1 pm, Sgt Ali, PCs Villafana, Elliot and Greene responded to a report of armed robbery in progress at the store. The officers surrounded the building and called on the bandits to surrender. The two were taken to the Couva Police Station for questioning and are expected to be charged.

In an unrelated incident which took place 15 minutes earlier, officers arrested four people including the driver and conductor of a maxi-taxi for possession of marijuana. It was reported that following a chase that began at Isaac Junction in Couva, the maxi taxi was intercepted near Noel Street and the men arrested after the marijuana was found. Couva Police are investigating.