In a harrowing incident that unfolded in the early hours of November 4, a family of seven in south Trinidad was violently awakened by a group of masked gunmen posing as police officers. The ordeal took place around 3 am along the SS Erin Road in Phillipine, a community that is also home to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC. The family, which included five children, was jolted awake by shouts of “Police! Police!” outside their residence. Six armed intruders forcefully kicked open the front door and stormed the house. The attackers demanded money from Vijay Ragoonanan, the homeowner and a gardener by profession. When Ragoonanan informed them he had no money, the assailants struck him multiple times in the face with their firearms. At the time of the attack, Ragoonanan was in a bedroom with his wife and two of their children, including a seven-year-old. The gunmen proceeded to tie the hands of all family members with tie straps and bound their feet with duct tape. They then ransacked the house, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones, and other valuables before fleeing the scene. Police from the Southern Division swiftly responded to the incident but were unable to locate the suspects. Investigations into the brazen home invasion are currently ongoing.