A 15-year-old boy was being questioned by the police up to late yesterday in connection with 13 robberies in Arouca.
A report said the teenager, of Maloney, and his accomplice robbed random victims between Sunday and Wednesday.
Officers said the suspects robbed pedestrians in Cane Farm, Casselton Avenue, Dinsley Avenue, the Eastern Main Road and at Five Rivers Junction. Nine of the robberies occurred on Wednesday.
Investigators said their information led them to Boodoo Street where they intercepted the vehicle the suspects used.
Police said around noon, they managed to spot the suspects who were reported to have been driving around in a white Mazda Familia wagon that was reported by their victims.
They were driving around and looking for “another victim” when officers came upon them, investigators said.
There was an exchange of gunfire and one of the suspects fled the scene.
Detectives said the suspect was “known” to the police.
The vehicle was searched and ten cell phones, jewelry, a pistol and $666 in cash were recovered.
The boy is expected to appear on several identification parades today and statements taken from the victims.
Operations involved the Arouca CID and Northern Division Task Force and were conducted by Sgt Robert Joseph and Insp Mark Maharaj and coordinated by Senior Supt David Abraham and Supt Hendron Moses.
In a brief interview yesterday, interim treasurer for Trincity Advocates for A Sustainable Community, Ann Marie Wallace, said the crime problem would be brought up at their next community meeting.
“When we first came here there were robberies and we had meetings with the police and they told us what to do. Some of us have cameras and dogs outside our house,” she said.
Wallace said the community police regularly patrolled the area and they were vigilant and kept an eye out for strangers visiting the community.
Other residents were concerned about other robberies that occurred on the outskirts of Arouca and D’Abadie.
When contacted, Abraham said the suspect was arrested because they have security and patrols in the area.
“We have a lot of patrols and this will continue until after Carnival,” he said.