CrimeWatch host Ian Alleyne visited the family of police shooting victim Ray Phillips, 19, in Diego Martin this week. Phillips was shot and killed by police on November 20, after the police claimed he shot at them at Rich Plain, Diego Martin. However, the killing sparked immediate protests from the community and members of the Muslim faith, who all said the police had killed Phillips in cold blood.
Alleyne interviewed one of the members of the community who witnessed the event and got a detailed account of the killing. The man told Alleyne that Phillips worked as a painter with a contractor and was returning home from a job when he met armed police in the “track” he was using to go home. The man said the police shot an unarmed Phillips several times then, as he lay on the ground, turned him over and allegedly began taunting him.
Phillips, still alive after he was initially shot, begged and pleaded with the police to spare his life, the man said. However, the police fired more shots at Phillips, killing him on the spot. The police then dragged him from the “track," put him into a police van and drove off. Police reported that Phillips was taken to the St. James Medical Center after he was shot, but was pronounced dead on arrival.
But the community is crying out for justice as yet another youth has fallen victim to gun violence, this time at the alleged hands of police. Family members told Alleyne that a cover-up is already afoot, as when they went to the Forensic Science Centre to identify Phillips and view his autopsy they were initially refused entry by police.
When they were finally admitted to see Phillips he was covered and they were only allowed to briefly view his face, but not the extent of the injuries he had sustained. Alleyne is currently investigating the matter. In another story, Alleyne is investigating a Housing Development Corporation fraud case in which Mala Deosaran claimed she was conned of $163,000 by two men who said they could secure a house for her.
Immediately after the show aired several calls came in from over 10 people who claimed they had also been conned by the two men. The following day a total of 13 people appeared on the show to give their stories about the men.
Alleyne advised the victims to go to Fraud Squad to build a case against the men so they could be arrested. Alleyne also called on others who may have been conned by the men to contact Crime Watch so he could assist them with building their cases with Fraud Squad.
The men subsequently appeared on the show and admitted to being involved in a scheme with a contractor where they got a cut for every person they got to pay to acquire a house. Alleyne contacted the Fraud Squad and two policemen arrived on the set and took the men into custody.
Alleyne also appealed to the public to help in the case of the murder of Seema Balkaran, 33, of Tewarie North Circular, Arima, who was shot several times near Tom’s Bar in Arena, Freeport. The motive of the killing is still unclear and the matter is still being investigated.
Unsolved
Alleyne aired exclusive footage of a man with a broken hand who robbed a known Chinese grocery in Enterprise, Chaguanas. The suspect is of African descent with dreadlocks. Alleyne is asking anyone who may know the identity of the man to call Crime Watch with the information that can assist police in the arrest of the suspect.
Breakthrough
Premchand Sookraj came to the Crime Watch set seeking help to recover $10,000 owed to him by electrician William King, of Carlsen Field, Chaguanas. Premchand claimed the work was incomplete and he wanted the balance of his money back. Alleyne contacted King who came to the show to give his side of the story. After Alleyne intervened an agreement was reached where King agreed to complete the work for Sookraj.