A Syrian chef is warded in a serious condition at hospital after he was shot during a robbery in San Fernando early yesterday. Police said Joseph Louison, 40, of Couva, and his wife were operating their Big B’s burger cart at the popular vending area at Cross Crossing when they were attacked.
Around 3.45 am, a man wearing a bandana over his face, blue shirt and three quarter pants walked up to the cart and announced a hold up. Despite Louison saying that he would surrender the money if the bandit would not harm anyone, including customers, the gunman shot him in the abdomen. On seeing the shooting customers scampered for cover while the gunman walked behind the cart, snatched an undisclosed sum of money and ran off.
Louison, a father of five, was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he remained up to last evening. San Fernando CID responded and searched for the area for the suspect but he was not found.
Meanwhile, Southern Division police arrested 102 people between Wednesday and Saturday in San Fernando, Marabella, La Romaine, Pleasantville and Cocoyea. Of those arrests, several people were held for loitering, 48 on outstanding warrants, 33 for possession of narcotics, eight for drunk driving and six for robberies.
Also, a team of officers led by Cpl Ramsingh received information and searched an area in St Mary's Village, Moruga and found a new shotgun hidden in a tree trunk. The operation was co-ordinated by Snr Supt Irwin Hackshaw and carried out by Supt Rajkumar, ASP Ramdeo, Insp Gajadhar, Insp Yearwood, Sgt Teeluck, Sgt Ramroop and Cpl Khan.
Christmas initiative
Southern Division police said yesterday they have implemented a strategic crime plan to protect banks, businesses and customers during the Christmas season. This includes the stationing of a mobile unit on the compound of Gulf City Mall, where there have been many reports of vehicle theft and robberies.
This, they said, will make it easy for victims of crime in the communities of La Romain, Bamboo Village, Cross Crossing and environs to report incidents to the police, as traffic is usually congested in the city around this time.
Police are asking people not to leave handbags, laptop computers and other items on the seats of their parked vehicles as this attracts bandits. They advised that all items should be placed in trunks. They are also cautioning owners of Nissan models B12, B13, B14 and Tiidas to be careful, as these cars have been targeted for robberies in the past two weeks. Owners can protect their vehicles by disconnecting the battery after parking or installing security or GPS devices.