Bandit shot, wounded in Princes Town robbery

ONE bandit is hospitalised after his accomplice accidentally shot him in a robbery in Princes Town over the weekend.

The 34-year-old suspect from St Croix Road in Princes Town was arrested while seeking medical attention at the Princes Town District Health Facility mid-morning on August 3.

The other bandit, 25, from the same area, was arrested and is assisting with the investigations.

The police said shortly after 9 am on August 3, the victims, 29 and 24, were heading along Cemetery Street, Princes Town and on reaching the Navet public cemetery, two men stopped the car.

Both victims, driver and passenger, are taxi drivers and live at the same address in Princes Town.

The men asked to be taken to Duff Road in Princes Town.

While on St Croix Road, the men each pulled out a gun and announced a robbery.

The bandits ordered the driver to drive to Duff Road.

On arrival, the gunmen assaulted the victims.

They stole $100 from the driver and his driver's permit worth $500.

They stole $10,000 from the other victim as well as a gold chain and two gold rings together worth $7,800 and a cell phone worth $1,500. They also stole his wallet, which contained $1,650, a taxi badge worth $165, his driver's permit and bank cards.

The driver tried to disarm one of the gunmen and a struggle ensued, causing the gun to fire, hitting the other gunman on the right side of his torso.

The injured bandit pointed the gun towards the victims and fired several shots.

The victims ran for their lives towards St Croix Road, where a passer-by helped them.

A report was made to the Princes Town police.

PC Khan and other police went to the health facility, where he arrested the injured suspect. He was under police guard.

Cpl Bhagwandeen, with officers from the Southern Division CID, visited the scene. WPC Nysus and PC Madhoo found one spent shell and one live round of ammunition.

The officers went to the health facility and recovered the taxi intact.

Cpl Bhagwandeen is leading the investigations.