Caption: Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher. AZP News/Azlan Mohammed
POLICE Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher says the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has a zero tolerance approach to home invasions.
She made the comment in a release on Thursday following the police killing of home-invasion suspects in Freeport on Wednesday.
Harewood-Christopher said, “While the outcome of yesterday’s exercise is indeed tragic, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has to maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding home invasions. These are serious crimes and their effects are far-reaching, as one incident can rob an entire community of the peace and safety previously enjoyed.”
A police operation following a home invasion in Couva resulted in a fatal shootout, leaving six suspects dead, including a 16-year-old girl. A release by the TTPS stated that the incident began around 6.30 am on Wednesday, August 14th, when a 68-year-old man in his Otis Lane Extension No. 2 home was confronted by three intruders, one of whom was armed. The assailants ransacked the house, stealing the victim’s wallet containing identification cards, bank cards, $500 in cash, and a quantity of jewellery before fleeing on foot.
By 11.35 am, acting on intelligence, officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Couva and the Central Division Task Force (CDTF) located a Toyota Aqua at Razack Trace, Freeport, linked to the robbery. Upon arrival, the officers were met with gunfire and responded in kind. Six individuals—five males and one female—were injured in the exchange and later pronounced dead at the Couva Health Facility, the release stated.
The deceased suspects were identified as:
- Jovan Simon, 31, of Diamond Village, Claxton Bay and Nelson Street, Perseverance, Couva
- A 16-year-old female from George Street, La Romaine
- Nicholas Caesar
- Saleem John, 19, of Sum Hill, Claxton Bay
- Kevon John, 23, of Sum Hill, Claxton Bay
- Isaiah Olivierre, 21, of Maturita Marie Avenue, Arima
Recovered at the scene were items belonging to the robbery victim and three firearms.
Harewood-Christopher expressed deep concern over the involvement of young individuals in criminal activities, noting that four of the deceased were under the age of 25.
She noted the critical role of parents and guardians in guiding youth towards positive and constructive paths and called for society to address the issue with urgency and commitment.
