Cops keep tabs on car theft ring

SHARLENE RAMPERSAD

Southern Division police believe they are close to a breakthrough in the string of car thefts in their district.

A senior officer told the Sunday Newsday yesterday that a suspect in the car-jacking of trainee teacher Angel Narine is being closely monitored. Narine was held up at gunpoint at the Jordan Hill Presbyterian Primary School on Wednesday. The incident happened around 7.20 am and was witnessed by several students and teachers. Her Nissan Navara was found on Friday morning after it was abandoned in Block 4, Palmiste. The vehicle from another robbery was also recovered in Pleasantville yesterday.

Inspector Don Gajadhar said the CID is monitoring several suspects as they attempt to crack a major car-jacking ring in South where bandits target women drivers of SUVs. Gajadhar said the arrest of three men in the Northern Division on Friday may be the breakthrough that the police need to crack the car-jacking ring. He said one of the suspects held is believed to be the ring’s leader. The men were also held with a firearm.

Gajadhar urged drivers to exercise caution as he said the bandits are following their victims to their homes to rob them.

“When you are getting out of your car to open your gates is when they will most often strike, we are asking people to look closely before pulling up to their homes, check to see if anyone is following you and always switch off your vehicles and take your keys even if you are just getting out to open your gate,” he said. He is also urging the public to invest in GPS monitoring systems for their vehicles as this is the best way to get back a stolen car.

In and around San Fernando, bandits are targeting Nissan B12, B13 and B14 vehicles for parts, Gajadhar said. “There is a big trend now where they take these vehicles and scrap them for parts, most of those cars we are not getting them back, so owners have to try to be more careful, install GPS or alarms in your vehicle, so that if you are robbed, the chances of getting back your vehicle are better.”