Tobago police yesterday detained a 29-year-old Lambeau man in connection with the robbery and murder of 64-year-old credit union courier Slyvert Edwards and are looking for a second man. The T&T Guardian understands the suspect is an employee of the Tobago House of Assembly’s Infrastructure and Public Utilities’ Development Section.
Police said he was arrested at his home during a sting operation on Wednesday after they received information and he was co-operating with them. Police said they expected to arrest the second man soon. Edwards was ambushed and killed around 11.30 am on Wednesday during a daylight robbery at the THAWE Credit Union, which is located on the Division of Infrastructure and Public Utilities’ compound at Shaw Park, Scarborough.
He was shot in the right hip while seated in his Hyundai Tucson vehicle but police believe he may have died from a heart attack. He was delivering a $100,000 payroll for members of the credit union.
Up to yesterday, several people attached to the credit union were being questioned, including five employees who were on duty at the time of the incident. However, police were tight-lipped on whether the robbery was an inside job. The credit union remained closed yesterday and there is no date set for its reopening.
Despite concerns about poor security measures on the compound and at the credit union, the T&T Guardian was reliably informed a hidden CCTV camera would have captured the attack. Edwards’ autopsy is scheduled for today. The Tobago Homicide Bureau is continuing investigations. Anyone with information is asked to contact 708-9142 or 708-9320.
Meanwhile, THA Chief Secretary Orville London yesterday condemned the attack. He said: “Whatever the reason, one has got to understand that we do have homegrown criminals on the island and we have to treat with that.
“We in Tobago have got to send a strong signal that this is not an environment in which criminals can feel secure and safe, nor should Tobago be seen as a soft target and that is one of the reasons why I want to reiterate that we must take control of our environment and ensure that we are much more careful about the way we do business.”
He said whenever incidents like those occurred all of Tobago was traumatised and they brought a startling realisation that crime was real in Tobago and must be treated with. He also urged Tobagonians to be vigilant at all times, especially during the festive season “This is not a reason for us to panic but it is definitely a reason for all of us to become much more aware of our environment,” he added.