http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Gun ... 78311.htmlGun drama on High Street
By Susan Mohammed
susan.mohammed@trinidadexpress.comStory Created: Feb 23, 2013 at 11:01 PM ECT
Story Updated: Feb 23, 2013 at 11:01 PM ECT
A man was held at gunpoint by a clothing store manager, and another apprehended by passersby at High Street, San Fernando, after it is alleged one of the men attempted to rob Detour Gents Store yesterday.
The suspects, 34 and 37, of Jamaica, were held at High Street after the store's manager pursued them with a licensed firearm and stopped them.
Police said the suspects were carrying some $9,000 in fake United States currency.
The suspects were in police custody yesterday, and police said they may be placed on identification parades in connection with robberies and related offences.
Around 2 p.m., it is reported one of the men entered the store and asked manager Riad Atteih to change US currency.
Cashier Marjorie Zouda told the Sunday Express she was standing near Atteih when the suspect approached him.
Zouda said: "He (the suspect) handed him US$1,200 and he had another set of money in his other hand. (Atteih) gave him the (Trinidad and Tobago currency). Then the man said he wanted back the US and handed (Atteih) back some of the TT. He then took back the US and ran out of the store."
Atteih drew his licensed firearm and pursued the suspect, who had entered a red Lancer motor car driven by another man. They sped off and drove about 100 feet, when Atteih shot at the tyres of the getaway car.
Vendor Lennox Andrews and another man, identified only as David, who were outside the clothing store, followed Atteih in pursuit of the vehicle.
The car stopped in the traffic and the three apprehended the suspects.
Andrews, of Aripero, a shoe repairman, said: "We saw the car stopped and the bossman fired a shot behind the car and it stopped in traffic. We controlled one of the men on the passenger side, and the bossman had the gun on the next one so he couldn't move."
ASP Zamsheed Mohammed led a team of police officers of the San Fernando CID to the scene and the suspects were arrested and taken into police custody.
Atteih was at the San Fernando CID yesterday, where he gave a statement.
Several years ago, a thief was shot and killed at that Detour branch after he attempted an armed robbery in the store.
