Robbery victim 'more confident' in police after suspects slain

A Couva man says his confidence in the police has increased after officers shot and killed six suspects who allegedly raided his home on August 14, but remains concerned about his safety and the possibility of a reprisal attack.

Around 6.30 am on Wednesday, Edwards Taylor, 68, was the victim of a home invasion.

Taylor told Newsday he was home alone when three men confronted him.

“My brother went to collect tablets for me. As I came out of the washroom I saw the three (bandits) in the living room and one of them pointed a gun at me.

“He said, ‘Hear what happening, we want the jewels and the money.’ Then they told me to sit down.”

Taylor, who is ill after suffering four strokes, four heart attacks and a back injury, said he offered little resistance.

“I said, ‘Allyuh see the condition of me: I could hardly walk. So go in and check and see what it have in the bedroom.’

“They took a gold band, three rings, three chains, and my wallet with $600.”

Taylor said it was not the first time he had been a victim of a gun crime.

“The gun was pointed at me. It was a horrible experience. I see a gun in the back of my head already, and this is the second time.”

He said he thought he was going to die.

“I say that was the last of me. You know (bandits) vicious these days. I thought about how I just lost my sister and my wife, and now I was going through this. I started to pray.”

The bandits, though, were not violent and Taylor was grateful he was not harmed.

“They had a getaway car waiting on them, and they call the driver and told him they got the money and jewellery.

“One of them said ‘Don’t do the man nothing, eh.’ They told me, ‘Go in that room there,’ and they just walked out.”

Six suspects were killed hours later by police who tracked them to Razack Trace, Freeport.

Police said they were shot at while trying to arrest the group and, in accordance with the police's use-of-force policy, shot back at the suspects.

Police reportedly found several items stolen from Taylor and other items stolen in a robbery in the St Joseph Police Distric,t along with three metal objects resembling guns.

Although the bandits did not harm him, Taylor told Newsday he had little sympathy for the suspects and was glad they were dead.

“They say a thief is a murderer. They could have licked me up and go about their business… You could have come here today to see a white tent (for a wake) in my yard instead.”

He said he also believed, given the crime situation nowadays, police had a right to defend themselves.

“You do the crime, lick them up. That is my take on it. You do the crime, especially shooting behind police: lick them up.

“It ent like long time again.”

Taylor’s brother lambasted the bandits for stealing from an old, sick man and accused them of lacking ambition.

“Them bandits does be thieving but still suffering. How you will thief cologne and slippers too? That is low thing. A Seiko watch you go thief? If you going and thief, at least thief big, nah.”

Taylor said he was unsure why he was targeted. but believed he might still be in danger. as the bandits might be connected to someone who knew him.

“They probably heard it have a sick man in the back here and he now do a little renovation to his house so we could go there and get a piece of money.

“I have to be on the lookout now. I could be a dead man anytime.

"The six who were killed, they could have passed the message on as to who they robbed. It’s because of me they lost their loved one. It’s up to their friends and family to let it go.”

He said his brothers were helping him implement stronger security measures. including better locks on his front door, re-fencing his yard and building a gate.

He added the incident and the death of the bandits had increased his confidence in the police.

“It have some good (officers) and some bad ones. But if you do something good for me, how I could bash you?”

Taylor’s brother added, “I was surprised when we got the call that the police found them and lick up some of them. They worked good there. Very good.”

Taylor said he would never wish his experience on anyone, but was ready to move past the situation.

“What I pass through, with a gun to my head, I wouldn’t like it to happen to anybody.

"Be on the lookout and be each other’s keepers. But life has to go on.”