A San Fernando City Police officer in pursuit of two bandits who were escaping with over $.2 million in jewelry from a robbery, shot a Los Bajos pensioner twice by mistake yesterday.
Samuel George, 68, is currently warded in stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) after being shot in the shoulder and abdomen.
According to reports, the two men entered Mohan’s Jewellers on Mucurapo Street, San Fernando, around 11 am and announced a hold-up.
One of the men was armed with a gun which he pointed at the store’s two proprietors. His accomplice then pushed aside a glass display case, went under the burglar proofing and began snatching items off the top display shelf of the showcases. He was able to grab gold and diamond rings, watches and chains before they both ran out the store and onto the busy street.
Neither man was wearing a mask and they were described as being of African descent, both around five feet ten inches tall and dark skinned.
The T&T Guardian was told that a City Police officer on patrol saw the commotion and fired two shots at the men, but instead hit George who was walking on the side-walk twice.
Up until late yesterday, police were reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to try to identify the men. —Sharlene Rampersad
