CrimeWatch host Ian Alleyne started off this short week, which saw the culmination of Easter festivities, with a breakthrough story on a brazen theft from a construction site.
The crime was brought to Alleyne’s attention by the owner of a contracting firm who reported that the company’s backhoe, registration TDC 2340 was stolen from the site, which was located a mere stone’s throw away from the prime minister's residence in St Ann's on April 5.
The owner told Alleyne that she had reported the matter to the police but never got any update on the matter and so had turned to him for help.
Alleyne picked up the investigation and within 22 hours had located the backhoe at Chunniesingh Street, Guaico, Tamana, on a piece of land housing the community’s cemetery.
The owner of the backhoe was contacted immediately following the discovery and she thanked Alleyne for such a quick and effective response to her report.
In another story, Christian Wright, of Diego Martin, appeared on the set pleading with Alleyne and the nation to assist him in locating his missing sister, Paula Bernard, who was last seen in the Pinto Road, Arima, area.
Wright told Alleyne that his sister is mentally ill and the family needed to locate her urgently. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bernard is urged to contact Alleyne on 294-4081.
The CrimeWatch host is also investigating a report in which a woman allegedly stole an iPhone from someone in Aboutique Mall, Port-of-Spain.
Alleyne was able to retrieve the IMEI number of the phone and has tracked the phone”s location. He warned the woman who stole the phone to return it to the CrimeWatch set or her picture would be aired on the programme, as he had already received information on her identity.
Soorace Mahatoo also appeared on the programme appealing for help for his 25-year-old son, who was left paralysed after he was struck by a vehicle in February.
Mahatoo begged Alleyne for justice for his son, pointing out that San Fernando General Hospital officials wanted to discharge him although he remained unresponsive in hospital.
Alleyne contacted Dr Andy Bhagwandass, who called the attending physician Dr Anand Chattergoon and asked that Mahatoo’s son be kept and given continued medical treatment.
Alleyne also promised to follow up on the matter.