Body in pond after shootout

A shootout with police ended in the death of a suspected car thief who fell into a pond while trying to run away. The victim is yet to be identified. Police arrested an injured accomplice who up to late yesterday, was at the San Fernando General Hospital under police guard.

Both men, police said, were the masterminds in a hijacking ring in the Barrackpore and Penal districts. Police said the men used stolen vehicles to commit robberies. On Tuesday night, the two stole a car which they subsequently crashed and abandoned on the roadside. Early yesterday police received information that the two were in another stolen vehicle in Barrackpore.

Officers of the Southern and South-Western divisions caught up with the two men at around midday in Barrackpore. A shootout ensued during which one suspect fell into a pond while the other was arrested. The body was fished out and sent to the Forensic Science Centre for autopsy. Officers at the scene including Sgt Ramlogan and Constables Ali and Tambie found a gun, ski-masks and gloves in the car.