RADHICA DE SILVA
Urgent calls are being made for increased police patrols at Flower Pot Beach in Pointe-a-Pierre after two gunmen robbed a Penal family of a phone and cash.
Businessman Davendra Ram said a family outing on Tuesday turned into a terrifying ordeal when armed men attacked his daughter Kareena and his wife, Angela Samaroo. Grandparents Shirley Samaroo and Dave Ramlogan escaped unscathed.
During an interview on Thursday, Ram recalled he and his relatives had gone to the beach for a relaxing evening. But, he said, as they were preparing to leave the beach around 6 pm, the armed attackers quickly approached and grabbed 17-year-old Kareena, stealing her phone. They then turned their attention to the rest of the family, making off with $500.
"They held my daughter at gunpoint and took her phone. They also robbed us of cash," Ram recounted. The family left shaken, immediately reported the incident to the police.
Ram expressed his frustration over the escalating crime situation in the country.
"You can't even go outside with your family. Even in your own home, you're afraid because of all the home invasions," he said.
"I’ll never go back to that beach," he declared.
Ram called for more police patrols along Flower Pot Beach and surrounding areas.
He even suggested establishing a station or a key location at the popular recreational spot to enhance safety.
Meanwhile, Ram's daughter Kareena described the robbery as terrifying and traumatising.
"I’ve only had my phone for two months, and losing it, along with the money, was hard. It was dark, and I was using the phone's flashlight to pack up when the men approached. I didn’t even realise we were being robbed until it happened," she said.
The phone was valued at $2,500.
Other family members, who shared that they were deeply distressed by the incident, echoed Ram’s concerns about the need for better security measures at the beach.
They lamented that given the crime situation, citizens may now be too afraid to enjoy what was once a peaceful family spot.
