[UPDATED] Female bandits, 17 and 18, wanted to kill taxi driver

The two young women detained by police for a violent carjacking wanted their victim – a 39-year-old taxi driver – dead.

Police said the women, 17 and 18, repeatedly demanded that a male accomplice “shoot and kill.” One was more insistent than the other.

The accomplice instead hit the victim on the head with a gun butt, pushed him in the car’s trunk, locked it, then drove off.

The victim managed to escape from the moving car.

Up to Wednesday, the two teenagers and another man were in custody. A male accomplice who got into the car from Siparia is on the run.

The incident began on Tuesday at about 10.30 pm, while the taxi driver was working his usual Siparia /Erin route. He went to a service station to buy fuel, but workers were changing shifts. Rather than waiting, he decided to make a last trip before heading home.

A relative told Newsday that he drove his white Nissan Tiida across the street to the Fyzabad/Siparia taxi stand at the Old Siparia Road.

The two young women and a man asked to be taken to Fyzabad. On reaching a lonely area at Gowers Well Road, commonly called Market Street, Fyzabad, the three announced a hold-up. The man pointed a gun at his head.

“He saw death. It was very traumatic. The girls insisted that the man kill him. He begged and begged for his life.

“He only began working taxi less than a year ago,” said the relative, who asked not to be named.

After locking him in the trunk, the male accomplice got into the car and drove off. When the carjackers realised the driver had escaped from the moving car, they fired at him several times but missed and continued driving.

Fyzabad police were contacted and officers sent out an all-points bulletin.

Police from Southern Division Task Force spotted the stolen car about two hours later in San Fernando and tried to intercept it. But the male driver drove faster, and police had to chase the car.

They caught up at Rivulet Road, Basta Hall, Couva. The driver ran off.

When they searched the car, police found two guns on the floor by the driver’s seat.

They arrested the two females, and a man who police believe was waiting for them. They said the detained man has a lengthy criminal record for several offences, including kidnapping, wounding and gun-related charges. He is originally from Arima.

One of the teenagers lives in Siparia and the other in Couva. Photos circulating on social media show the women smiling.

The victim was taken to the Siparia district health facility. He was discharged a few hours later.

Sgt Sobie is leading investigations.

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Police held three people, including two young women, 17 and 18, who pretended to be passengers, tied up a taxi driver, locked him in his car trunk, and then drove off with his car.

The incident happened on Tuesday night, while, the driver was working in Fyzabad, at about 10.30 pm.

He managed to untie himself and escaped before the three drove off.

Fyzabad police sent out an all-points bulletin.

Police from Southern Division Task Force spotted the stolen car about two hours later in San Fernando and tried to intercept it. But the male driver, who is originally from Arima, drove faster, and police had to chase the car.

They caught up it, a white Nissan Tiida, at Rivulet Road, Basta Hall, Couva. When they searched it they found two guns on the floor by the driver’s seat.

They held the driver, who they said has a lengthy criminal record for several offences including kidnapping, wounding and gun-related charges.

The officers also held the teenagers. One lives in Siparia and the other in Couva. Photos circulating on social media show the women smiling.

Investigations continue.