Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Members of a Penal family have become the latest victims of a wave of violent home invasions, with bandits raping a 22-year-old university student and beating her father during the attack.
The incident occurred around 3 am yesterday, as a 48-year-old businessman and his children, ages 22, 18 and nine, were asleep in their home.
Two bandits, one armed with a cutlass and the other with a gun, forced a window in the living room open and squeezed through the burglar-proofing.
A relative said the woman opened her eyes to see a man standing over her before he attacked.
The bandits tied their victims with clothes as they ransacked the house and demanded money as they beat the businessman on his head and back. He handed over approximately $2,000.
The bandits also stole a television, sneakers and tablets before driving off in the family’s two vehicles.
The family untied themselves and contacted the police. PC Mungal, PC Jagessar and PC Weston, of the South Western Division Task Force, spotted the stolen car and pursued it.
The bandits crashed into a wall in Batchyia Village, and the officers arrested two men from Las Lomas and Arima. Late yesterday, police were still searching for the third suspect and the other stolen vehicle. Penal CID also responded and began an investigation into the incident.
A relative said yesterday that the family was in a state of fear.
“They do not want to stay in the house. The girl was sleeping and opened her eyes and saw the fellas in front of her. They broke down the doors, they kicked them down.”
Relatives said they have several safety features around their homes, but they no longer deter criminals.
Those with businesses in the community are also worried about becoming targets, as they have reported numerous robberies in recent months. They are now contemplating additional security measures.
