Bandits rob Digicel outlet, steal police gun

RYAN HAMILTON-DAVIS and SHANE SUPERVILLE

Four men, including a convicted murderer are in police custody after they reportedly robbed a Digicel outlet in Mayaro and stole a police inspector's side arm on Wednesday.

Police said just after 11 am, three men entered a Digicel outlet in Mayaro and ordered customers and staff to lie on the floor and hand over their money A woman police inspector, identified only as Insp Fonrose, was in the store at the time and tried to stop the robbery by firing a shot at one of the bandits missing him.

A struggle ensued and the bandits relieved of her gun, before escaping in a car.

Police immediately searched for the car, and intercepted it in Manzanilla. When they cornered the bandits, two jumped out and escaped into some bushes. The third man, who was driving, was arrested and is in custody assisting investigators. Police officers seized the gun and called for back up from the Emergency Response Patrol, Air Support and the Canine Branch.

At around 3.35 pm, they found two of the men in a heavily forested area in Manzanilla and later found the fourth as he attempted to cross a road a short distance away. Search efforts were co-ordinated by ACP Crime for the Eastern Division.

Newsday understands one of the men was convicted for murder as a juvenile and was on bail for robberies in the eastern division.