作者： admin

In a bold and meticulously planned robbery, two armed and masked individuals targeted the Royal Ton Casino in Crown Point on the morning of November 17. The incident unfolded shortly after 8 am when the assailants confronted casino employees, leading to a tense exchange of gunfire with security personnel. The robbers managed to escape with an undisclosed sum of cash, fleeing to a nearby beach where they boarded a waiting pirogue. The vessel, later discovered abandoned at Pigeon Point beach, has been seized by police as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have confirmed the arrest of one individual who is currently assisting law enforcement in their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The case has drawn significant attention due to the audacity of the crime and the use of a maritime escape route, highlighting the evolving tactics of criminal enterprises in the region.

A La Romaine resident, Anthony Ogeer, has been handed a five-year prison sentence with hard labor after pleading guilty to possessing two rounds of .38-caliber ammunition discovered at his Pond Street residence in 2023. The sentencing was delivered by Justice Nalini Singh, who detailed the circumstances of the case. During a police search of Ogeer’s home, the ammunition was found concealed beneath a tabletop stove. While the Firearms Act mandates a minimum 20-year sentence for a first conviction on indictment, Justice Singh set a starting point of six years, citing the limited quantity of ammunition and the absence of a firearm as mitigating factors. However, Ogeer’s prior convictions, including four marijuana-related offenses, led to an increased sentence of nine years. The judge highlighted Ogeer’s escalating criminal behavior, noting that the current offense occurred while he was on bail for a similar charge in January 2023. Despite this, the 2025 conviction was not considered an aggravating factor. Reductions were granted for Ogeer’s remorse and early guilty plea, resulting in the final five-year term. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the ammunition, disqualification from holding a firearm license, and notification of relevant authorities regarding the conviction.

The Bocas Lit Fest, in collaboration with Let’s Read, is set to host its popular Family Reading Circle at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre in Port of Spain on November 22. The event, scheduled from 10 am to 12 pm, aims to cultivate a love for reading among children aged seven and under through interactive read-aloud sessions and community engagement.

Featured author Mary Cuffy, known for her Ladybug series, will lead the session by reading from her works, including ‘Lola and the Dancing Ladybugs,’ ‘Lola and the Magic Sticks,’ and ‘Lola and the Fascinating Cocoa Bean.’ Cuffy, a storyteller and lecturer at the UWI Open Campus, specializes in early childhood literacy and music, bringing her expertise to this initiative.

The Family Reading Circle is part of Bocas Lit Fest’s ongoing efforts to promote literacy and creativity among young readers. Over the past two and a half years, the organization has partnered with Let’s Read TT to host numerous such events at The Writers Centre. These sessions provide a platform for parents and caregivers to encourage reading in a communal setting, fostering empathy, imagination, and lifelong reading habits.

Community outreach remains a cornerstone of Bocas Lit Fest’s children’s programming, as demonstrated by initiatives like the nationwide Children’s Storytelling Caravan. Earlier this year, a pilot session was held at the St Helena Community Library, further expanding the program’s reach.

The upcoming event at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre will feature Let’s Read’s extensive children’s book library, allowing families to explore literature together. By creating a supportive environment for shared reading, the program aims to enhance literacy, social cognition, and behavioral development.

For more information about future Family Reading Circles, contact melvina@bocaslitfest.com.

In a harrowing incident that has shaken the community of Penal, Trinidad and Tobago, a married couple, Babita Vialva, 40, and Raffeak Vialva, 51, were fatally shot during a violent home invasion in the early hours of November 17. The tragedy unfolded at their residence on Penal Rock Road, where they were accompanied by their 19-year-old daughter at the time of the attack.

According to an eyewitness, who was preparing for work at the time, an unidentified man arrived at the couple’s home around 3 am in a vehicle. The assailant forcefully entered the premises by breaking down the front door. The witness recounted hearing three distinct gunshots, prompting them to retreat upstairs for safety.

Upon investigation, relatives discovered Babita deceased in the bedroom, while Raffeak was found critically injured in the corridor. Despite efforts to save him, Raffeak succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. The couple’s daughter, fortunately, remained unharmed and was comforted by friends and family outside the home.

Authorities are currently exploring the possibility that the attack was a botched robbery. However, family members, who chose to remain anonymous, suggested that the intruder may have left empty-handed, as there was no evidence of the home being ransacked. The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of the Vialva couple.