One of the most talked about stories this past week on CrimeWatch was the robbery and shootout between three armed bandits and police at the Vietnam Bar in Barrackpore. Police constable Cashyap Lochan was shot several times as he and colleagues responded to the robbery on January 2. Video footage showed Lochan being shot by the bandits as he attempted to enter the bar.
Despite being shot, Lochan bravely fired back at the bandits while trying to get to cover. The bandits escaped after Lochan collapsed some distance away. CrimeWatch host Ian Alleyne praised the police, especially at this time where citizens are very concerned over the escalating crime situation in the country. He urged the authorities to ensure the injured cop gets proper medical attention.
Alleyne was able to recover and restore the footage from the bar and aired it first exclusively on the show. He was able to reveal the identity of the men through skilled computer work by freezing the video at key intervals where clear shots of the bandits’ faces were seen. Members of the public immediately called in live to give information on the whereabouts of the men. All the information was passed on to Sr Supt Johnny Abraham and a manhunt has been launched for the suspects.
Alleyne also met with Lochan’s family and aired the interview, where the family admitted that Lochan was being treated well at the San Fernando General Hospital, but was still awaiting a CT scan and was paying for his own medication as some of the tablets were not available at the hospital. Alleyne called on the authorities to look into the matter and ensure Lochan gets top treatment as he was injured while on duty.
Alleyne also visited the Grand Bazaar, Valsayn area where burger vendor Kemraj Seerattan, 22, of Bamboo Village #3, was shot several times around 11.30 pm on January 4, 2015 as he was setting up his stall. The matter is being investigated by police. The CrimeWatch team was also on the scene where a bandit was shot and killed by a security guard from Telecom Security during an attempted robbery at a roti shop near the Maritime Plaza, Barataria, on January 6.
The men were attempting to escape after robbing a customer when they were confronted by the guards and there was an exchange of gunfire. One of the bandits, identified as Kerman Andrews, was hit and died on the spot. His cohort escaped in a nearby car which had been left idling. Alleyne later learned that Andrews had a string of arrests for similar crimes and was out on bail. Sr Supt Boxhill and other police are investigating the matter.
Also this week, the family and parents of three-year-old Ravindra Gatoo appealed to Alleyne to help them get justice. They made the appeal as Alleyne offered condolences to the family at the young boy’s funeral at the Caroni Cremation site. Ravindra was killed in an accident on the M2 Ring Road, Picton, on December 29, 2014, while the family was returning home from visiting relatives.
According to police, a truck lost control on the wet road and slammed into their vehicle, killing him instantly. Ravindra’s mother, Samantha Gattoo, 33, was also hurt in the crash and was treated at hospital and subsequently discharged. Alleyne learned that the truck driver was released by police and the truck returned to him soon after the accident. He called for a more intense investigation into the case.
The investigation into the disappearance of Shabanna Mohammed, 19, of Akal Trace, Santa Cruz, came to a sad end as her partly decomposing body was discovered by police at the back of her home on Thursday. A neighbour found the body after police were called to the area after neighbours detected a bad smell in some bushes behind Mohammed’s house.
The family broke down as her body was pulled from a drain a few meters from her home. Alleyne showed live the area where Mohammed’s body was discovered and how close to her house it was. The investigators and Alleyne agree that this was a crime committed by someone close to her, as it resembles a crime of passion. He pointed out that a suspect was being looked at by the police but did not want to say too much more.
Breakthrough Story
Central Division police made two major “busts” on January 8. After receiving information, police intercepted two white Nissan Tiidas in St Mary’s, Freeport, after a high speed chase that started in Couva. Police seized 15 packets of high grade cocaine worth $6 million and arrested the men. Alleyne was informed by sources that the drugs were in-transit to another international destination.
Central police were led to Mt Plaisir Road, Cunupia, where a large amount of marijuana was discovered and seized from a field. No arrest was made. Alleyne praised the officers and interviewed Sr Supt Johnny Abraham on his success in the reduction of crime in Central. Abraham thank his colleagues and the public for the information they provided.
Unsolved mystery
Aisha Andrews, 16, of Petty Trace, Guaico, Sangre Grande, has been missing since December 6, 2014. Her father appeared on the show pleading with Alleyne fand the public for assistance in finding her. It is alleged she left home in search of a job and never returned. However, foul play is not suspected as the young girl has run away from home twice before. Alleyne is asking anyone who may have information on her whereabouts to text him on 294-4081.