Homeowners along the Manzanilla stretch, who lost almost everything during last month’s flooding, continue to be hit by thieves who are carting off thousands of dollars of their property.
The thieves have been removing household appliances, furniture, water tanks, air condition units, water pumps, 100-pound gas cylinders and generators belonging to the residents, some of whom had to flee their homes after a huge portion of the Manzanilla/Mayaro Road caved-in following flooding late last month.
The problem also disrupted the operations of several beach houses, after the Ministry of Works and Transport closed the collapsed road. As a temporary measure, the ministry decided to construct a $12 million temporary access road alongside the collapsed roadway to bring some relief to those affected.
While contractors Kallco Ltd and Namalco Construction continue to work on the temporary roadway, thieves have been making the lives of the residents and beach house owners a nightmare.
In the midst of losing her entire beach house, Mangree Sookhoo yesterday said looters carted away numerous items from her seafront property that caved-in during the prolonged flood.
“They stole quite a lot,” Sookhoo said, her voice breaking as she spoke to Guardian Media while looking at the remains of the house, which leaned precariously near the shoreline.
“My gas tank, a big stove, water tanks and other stuff are gone,” she said.
She could not put a value to the stolen items, saying she was totally stressed out by the loss of the property.
Sookhoo recently sold her clothing store in Arima and invested in the beach house.
“This is how I started earning a dollar. Now everything is gone...the house and what was inside it. It’s really a hard blow not only for me but all the other residents who were affected. I would say it is heart-breaking.”
Yesterday, she hired a van to remove a few items she had salvaged.
“I have three beds in the house. I have to come back for that today otherwise they will take it. I have to move fast.”
Sookhoo said when the home came tumbling down, she moved out.
“I had no idea these bandits were stealing me out. If the neighbours didn’t notify me, I would not have known.”
Next to Sookhoo, Sanjay Lingo kept a close eye on the A La Manzan Beach House, which was partially destroyed by the raging water. He has been guarding the property for a month since thieves started running amok in the area.
Lingo said two weeks ago, he saw four men lurking around the property after midnight.
“I created an alarm and they ran to the back of the house and disappeared. I was too scared to come out.”
The following morning, Lingo said on checking the premises, he noticed the storage room with his water pump and generator were tampered with.
“They tried to break the lock but were not successful.”
Lingo said when he called the Manzanilla police for help, they told him they were not authorised to enter the area.
They also called 999 but got no response.
The Manzanilla stretch spans 26 kilometres.
“They never gave a reason why. We saw men driving around in the water using dinghies and walking on the shoreline late at night. I suspect this is how they have been stealing from the houses. Since the road closed, today was the first time I see the police patrolling up here.”
The regular thefts, Lingo said, have them uneasy and scared.
“These bandits don’t care. In the middle of our troubles and adversities, they are coming to thief from us. Some of them are so desperate and thirsty, the flood water ain’t even subside and they coming after us. What will they do next? Imagine you going through stress and frustration not knowing how you will bounce back and they distressing you further. And to compound matters, the police not helping.”
While Arfhard Mohammed was wading through knee-high water in his yard, he saw a group of 20 men coming in his direction.
“I know they were coming to steal so I started to bawl out to four family members who were upstairs and they rushed outside. When the men saw all of us they backed down and hastily left. This happened shortly after noon. So, they are coming in the day and night to steal.”
Mohammed said the men were eyeing his all-terrain vehicle (ATV) parked in the yard, which he uses at night to patrol the area.
“I could tell you many homes have been targeted. We have become sitting ducks up here.”