Bad News for Tobago

[Kirsten Giles]

Just read this article in my local paper - really sad!

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/generaln ... npoint.php

Anybody know anything at it?

Kirsten

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Kirsten

I first head about this within hours of it taking place. I've had a number of reports, all varying a little in terms of the details. However, the general story is clear.

The robber was a Trini with a really bad record. He had recently been released from prison in Trinidad after serving a 9-year stretch for armed robbery. He was suspected of committing a dozen or more armed robberies in and around the Scarborough area - mainly against local property owners, I am led to believe, with the exception of the Police Inspector.

Anyway, one evening a couple of Friday's ago, he decided to the Half Moon Blue/Old Donkey Cart hotel/restaurant in Bacolet. To cut a long story short, a sharp-eyed guest saw him pointing a gun at the receptionist and called his tour rep who immediately phoned the police. The main Scarborough (and island) police station is just a short hop down the same road. Within a couple of minutes an armed tactical squad had surrounded the premises. The villain fled upstairs and locked himself in one of the bedrooms. I hadn't heard that he had fired any shots. My understanding was that it was the police who simply told him to come out then fired through the door and shot him dead when he didn't respond.

We could argue forever about the rights and wrongs of such decisive action, but as far as I'm concerned, decisive action is the operative word and these animals have to accept the consequences of their actions.

It is such a shame because it has been remarkably quiet of late. There is a new police chief on the island and he seems to be stamping his authority in a big way. Since the start of the year they've put away another bandit for 5 years after he was caught trying to rob a guesthouse; a well-known crack house behind the Kariwak was mysteriously burned to the ground and a major drug smuggling ring was bust, resulting in the arrest of 3 well-known Tobagonians and a lot more people over here in the UK. Hopefully it will all send a message to the criminals on the island - they really seem to mean business for once.

[Gary]

We could argue forever about the rights and wrongs of such decisive action, but as far as I'm concerned, decisive action is the operative word and these animals have to accept the consequences of their actions.

I agree & have absolutely no sympathy for the parasites.

[David Watkins]

One less and it's cheaper than imprisonment.Steve according to the press there was a "gun fight"!
David

[Carol Townsend]

I take it that, unlike in Britain, there will NOT be a big outcry and a public enquiry with everyone getting the blame except the scum who brought it upon himself?

[Jonathan Richards]

I take it that, unlike in Britain, there will NOT be a big outcry and a public enquiry with everyone getting the blame except the scum who brought it upon himself?

Umm, I think that the big outcries come when someone gets shot dead for carrying a chair leg, or for coming out of a block of flats at the wrong moment and getting on the Tube...

Armed robbers deserve what they get, especially if they actually use the weapons. Live by the sword and die by the sword, and all that.

Carol, it's good to have you back, and you have my deepest sympathy on your bereavement. One is never ready for it, when it comes.

Jonathan

[Tony G]

Umm, I think that the big outcries come when someone gets shot dead for carrying a chair leg, or for coming out of a block of flats at the wrong moment and getting on the Tube...

Jonathan

Ha! Nice one Jonathan!

Tony

[Carol Townsend]

Yes, of course you're quite right there Jonathan. I was thinking more of householders defending themselves.