Rhondor Dowlat
A vehicle that was stolen from the compound of the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) on Thursday was recovered hours later by good samaritans in the Aranguez area.
The vehicle, a grey Hyundai Tucson, bore a false number plate—PCW 6943, which slipped off revealing the correct registration number plate of the vehicle—PCR 1744.
It was reported that at about 7.30 pm that day, a female student was held up at gun point at UWI car park. Her SUV with her belongings, including her handbag, were stolen.
The victim’s sister took to social media where she highlighted the robbery and added that her sister was very traumatized after being told by the gunman that he would shoot her if she did not “dive” into a nearby five-feet deep drain.
“She (the victim) said the perpetrator looked no more than 20 years and he did not act alone as she was told to stay in the drain for five minutes or else someone else will shoot her,” the victim’s sister wrote on her Facebook post.
Hours after the victim’s sister posted about the incident, the SUV was potted in Aranguez.
The sister went back to Facebook and thanked readers for their overwhelming concern and shares, which she said she believe was the reason for the recovery of the vehicle.
“I want to personally thank everyone for the shares, for spreading the word and for keeping their eyes out, because you guys made it possible for the recovery of her car. We literally drove around till 2 am looking for this car but was unsuccessful. However, a number of good samaritans saw the post from the hundreds of shares and was able to identify my sister car at Aranguez,” the victim’s sister wrote.
“There were two fake number plates on the car however, the back number plate, we don’t know what happened there (if it slid down or if it was stuck like that) but it exposed the original number plate. Unable to reach us at the time they contacted the Barataria Police Station to recover the car. A number of items were stolen but her car is still in very good condition. Once again thank you, thank you, thank you, without your help her car would have been just another statistic,” she added.
Meanwhile, UWI, also in a Facebook post, said it has been responsive to students' calls for improvements in safety and security around the campus.
The university assured that improvements are ongoing—“a collaborative effort with key campus stakeholders and the TTPS”.
UWI shares useful tips to students on staying safe
. Know The UWI Police numbers: 662-2002 ext. 82120/83510
. Never walk or jog alone at night and avoid secluded or dimly lit areas
. Report all suspicious persons and activity to The UWI Police
. Students are also reminded that the Campus Security Escort Service is available on request: 6 pm to 6 am