Two female suspects have been arrested in connection with Tuesday's murder of Chinese national Hi Hong Huang, while another two were being pursued up to late yesterday. Hong Huang, 35, was fatally shot as he struggled with two bandits during a robbery outside his business, the Happiness Supermarket, Southern Main Road, Curepe. CCTV footage revealed he was shot by one of the men as he attempted to wrestle with another to prevent them escaping with a box containing approximately $500,000.
Both suspects were said to be Jamaican nationals and were held at the Piarco International Airport yesterday. The female suspects were said to have worked as security guards at the grocery. The two male suspects involved in the robbery/murder are believed to have flown out the country already. Police said the suspects got way with $80,000 and while they recovered some of it they believe some had also already been wired to Jamaica.
An autopsy performed on Wednesday confirmed that Hong Huang died as a result of a bullet to the chest. During a telephone interview yesterday, National Security Minister Carl Alfonso confirmed that the arrest took place less than 24 hours after the robbery. Alfonso said he met with a four-member delegation from the Chinese embassy, which included Chinese ambassador Xingyan Huang, at 8 am yesterday at his Temple Court, Port-of-Spain office.
Saying that the meeting had gone “well,” Alfonso added: “I think they are satisfied that the police are doing what they have to do.” Also present at the meeting was an Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) and the policeman mandated to spearhead the investigation. Declining to reveal the names of the two officers, Alfonso assured the matter was being treated with the highest priority by the Police Service.
Pointing out that ambassador Huang and his colleagues did not express concerns that the Chinese community was under attack by criminals, Alfonso added: “It was a robbery that ended tragically but I don't believe it was targeted specifically at the Chinese community.” Extending condolences to Huang's family on Government's behalf, Alfonso also commended the police involved for their quick work in holding the suspects.
Echoing Alfonso’s claims that the fatal robbery could not be viewed as an attack on the Chinese community, several members of the Chinese Association agreed yesterday it was an isolated case. Requesting that his name not be published, the prominent businessman, who is a senior member of the association and who spoke very little English, said: “I am feeling very bad because the Chinese have been here in T&T for more than 209 years.
“I hope that the Government and national security can protect the Chinese. They need to catch the murderers, catch them soon.” Meanwhile, another official of the association, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I am unwilling to say that Chinese business owners are being targeted by criminals as there have been no such incidents in a while.”
Society meets Sunday
Saying a meeting has been arranged by the Chinese Embassy for 2.30 pm on Sunday at the Chinese Society headquarters in Port-of-Spain, officials said the incident would feature prominently on the agenda. Noting that the meeting had been planned prior to Tuesday's incident, the association's members said: “We will leave it up to the police.”
In extending condolences to Hong Huang’s family, president of the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GTCIC) David Edwards expressed regret over the loss of life. Renewing his call to business owners within the jurisdiction to partner with the GTCIC, Edwards admitted there were select business owners and operators who had refused to join hands with his organisation.
Unity and co-operation, he said, was critical to ensure similar incidents would not occur but Edwards praised officers of the Tunapuna police station for their hard work as both foot and mobile patrols were increased. He said there had been an increase in the number of robberies within the jurisdiction in recent times but pointed out that they sometimes went unreported as they were not considered "important enough to be highlighted."
He urged officers to continue efforts to stem the flow of criminal activity in the Tunapuna, Curepe, St Augustine and St Joseph areas.