Four men were arrested within minutes after they robbed an elderly couple at their home in Barataria on Tuesday.
The arrests came after one of the victims managed to call the police for help within seconds after he and his wife were robbed.
Officers from the North Eastern Division Task Force (NEDTF), Rapid Response Unit and Organised Crime Narcotics and Firearms Bureau responded and were able to hold the men while they were still on the compound.
According to a police report, at about 11.30 am the victims, aged 67 and 77, were at their Fourth Street, Barataria home when three men, one armed with a knife, entered and announced a hold up. The men then robbed the couple of cash and jewellery totalling $13,530.
One of the victims managed to put through a call to 999 telling of the robbery in progress. Officers immediate responded to the distress call and when they arrived at the couple’s home they were able to arrest a 19-year-old from Toco, a 26-year-old from Tunapuna and a 43-year-old man.
A fourth person, 26, also of Tunapuna, who was found sitting in a silver Tiida parked close to the victims’ home, was also arrested. Police believe he was the getaway driver. The men were expected to be placed on several identification parades yesterday in connection with similar offences in other Divisions.
Meanwhile, during yesterday’s police weekly press conference, police said there had been a reduction of robberies.
For the period January 1 to June 14, 2017, they said there had been 1,154 reported cases of robberies compared to 1,255 for the corresponding period last year, which represents an eight per cent reduction.
Out of the total robberies committed, 370 were committed with firearms, which represents 32 per cent, 56 were committed using knives and cutlasses, which represents 4.8per cent, and 51 were committed using physical force, which represents 4.4 per cent.
In a total of 643 (55.7 per cent) of all the robberies committed, the victims were unable to say whether the assailants were armed.
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