RHONDOR DOWLAT-ROSTANT
An unidentified bandit died after he was shot by armed security officers of the National Maintenance Training Security Services (MTS) during a break-in on the compound of the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) in Port-of-Spain.
According to a police report, the officers were at the PTSC stores in City Gate at about 10:30 pm Wednesday when they saw a flashlight shining and three men jumping over a wall.
The officers were allegedly shot at by the men as they approached the wall forcing them to return fire. One of the men was shot and slumped on the ground where he died. His accomplices, police said, managed to escape.
Guardian Media was told that Wednesday night's attempt was the second attempt this week. The first attempt was on Tuesday night.
However, last week some time bandits struck at the said compound and allegedly tied up the MTS security officers and successfully stole an undisclosed amount of sanitisers and industrial cables.
In the aftermath of that first incident, the chairman of the Estate Police Association MTS Branch Board Stefan Small called on PTSC to implement the recommendations of the Security department at MTS "as it pertains to the safety and security of the PTSC Compound at Port-of-Spain."
"Two officers from MTS were accosted by armed criminals, tied up and the premises was robbed of sanitizers and industrial cables etc. The Estate Police Association is stating that the lighting and other proper physical infrastructure is inadequate for such a large compound especially when one considers that what's stored at the compound is state property," Small added.
With respect to Wednesday's incident, MTS confirmed that there was an incident where a "group of armed men illegally entered (broke into) the compound and fired on security officers when confronted. The security officers returned fire and one of the assailants was shot."
"The company is not in a position to give any additional details on this matter as it is currently under investigation by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service," MTS added.
It however noted that it is fully cooperating with police officers in their investigations and reassures the public that "the company always makes the safety and security of its employees and clients its number one priority."
MTS said it will provide trauma counselling and evaluation to all employees involved.
The PTSC confirmed the shooting in a statement to the media.
"While patrolling the area, our security officers discovered these intruders and an exchange of gun fire ensued. Some of the intruders escaped through the East Dry River but one sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries," PTSC said.
"The PTSC wishes to advise that the matter is under investigation by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and remains committed to the safety of both our employees and commuters," it added.
