A late evening stroll at Palmiste Park, located on the outskirts of San Fernando, turned into a nightmare for a couple after they were attacked by two men, robbed, beaten and the woman raped on Tuesday. Police said the woman’s boyfriend had to watch helplessly as one of the men assaulted the woman at knifepoint. Even though the park has proper lighting, police believe the bandits were lurking in the bushes, waiting for potential victims.
The park is usually frequented by dozens of joggers at evenings, most of whom leave by 8 pm. Investigators said the latest attack occurred around 9.15 pm. The 28-year-old woman and her 33-year-old boyfriend were walking along the jogging track when they were ambushed by the knife-wielding men. The couple were robbed of jewelry, cash and cellphones valued at $4,000.
The bandit then beat the boyfriend, forcing him to lie on the ground while one of them raped the woman in the bushes. After the attack, a passerby contacted the emergency 999 hotline and WPC Sealy, PC Crawford and PC Mahabir of the San Fernando CID responded and took the couple for treatment.
Police said robberies were common at Palmiste Park a few years ago but with the arrests of a few men, such incidents had ceased. They are now warning residents to stay away from secluded areas at the park, especially at late hours. They also advised that people should go to the park in groups.
Anyone with information on the crime can call the San Fernando CID office at 652-2564.