分类： society

In a startling incident that blends criminal violence with unexpected civility, Port of Spain police are hunting three assailants who robbed an Angostura employee shortly after she departed her workplace on November 27th. The 25-year-old victim was targeted while awaiting transportation on the Priority Bus Route opposite the Vehicle Maintenance Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) around 7:15 PM.

The confrontation began when the trio approached the woman, with one attacker seizing her from behind and pressing a curved blade against her throat. Under direct threat to her life, she surrendered her possessions including a black handbag containing a premium Samsung S23 Ultra smartphone valued at $5,000, her company-issued mobile device, and $700 in cash.

What followed however demonstrated paradoxical behavior from the criminals. As two accomplices fled into nearby vegetation, the remaining assailant—stationed on a distinctive black-and-white bicycle—accommodated the victim’s plea to retrieve her identification and banking cards from a red pouch within the stolen bag. The man complied with her request, calmly returning the critical documents before escaping through the Fernandes compound vicinity.

In a separate but related development, law enforcement is simultaneously pursuing two additional suspects following an attempted hardware store heist earlier that same day. At approximately 10:10 AM, armed robbers invaded a business along El Socorro Main Road, assaulting the proprietor and stealing a gold chain before employees disrupted the crime through vocal alarms. The startled perpetrators abandoned their plunder and fled in a black Nissan Note vehicle without securing any monetary gain from the establishment.

Police Constable Cyril of Besson Street Police Station is leading the investigation into the Angostura employee robbery, while PC Ball continues inquiries regarding the foiled hardware store incident. Both cases highlight concerning patterns of violent crime affecting Trinidadian citizens and businesses.

A 69-year-old pensioner from Congo Village in Debe is demonstrating remarkable resilience as he recovers from dual medical crises stemming from a heroic rescue. Jairam ‘Baba’ Balliramsingh sustained first-degree burns on November 22nd after charging into his burning residence to save his five-year-old grandson from advancing flames. While initially treated in the intensive care unit at San Fernando General Hospital for his burns, Balliramsingh recently suffered a stroke that has complicated his recovery journey. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Teaching Hospital where medical staff report encouraging progress.

According to family members, the fire erupted unexpectedly in the living room of the family’s two-story concrete home around 9 am. Balliramsingh and his wife Rosina initially mistook the smoke for routine trash burning nearby. The situation turned critical when they discovered flames engulfing their living room and heard young Travis screaming from an adjacent bedroom. Disregarding his own safety, Balliramsingh battled through intense heat and flames to locate his grandson, ultimately passing the child through a window to safety.

The family has experienced significant emotional trauma from the consecutive emergencies. ‘When we got the news of the stroke, we did not know how to break it to our mother,’ explained Ryan Balliramsingh, one of Jairam’s sons. ‘She was already very worried about his condition.’ Despite the challenges, the family reports that Balliramsingh is ‘pulling through’ with his burn wounds healing satisfactorily. Medical staff note that while medication leaves him frequently drowsy, he remains communicative and aware of his surroundings.

The rescued grandson, Travis Jagroo, was hospitalized for observation due to smoke inhalation but was discharged on November 24th. The emotional connection between grandfather and grandson remains strong, with Travis repeatedly asking to visit his rescuer. The family arranged a hospital visit that brought visible joy to both generations. Investigations into the fire’s cause continue with no other injuries reported.

The Carnival Roots and Cultural Committee of Princes Town has officially inaugurated Carnival 2026 with a vibrant launch ceremony held at the Princes Town Triangle on November 28. This marks a significant transition in the organization of the community’s carnival celebrations, which have undergone multiple administrative changes in recent years.

Committee Chairman Alesia Dyer-Stoute articulated a renewed vision for preserving the authentic values of carnival artistry during her address at the promenade. “Our organization extends beyond carnival festivities alone,” Dyer-Stoute emphasized. “As a cultural collective, we are dedicated to unifying the community through diverse events spanning the entire calendar year.”

The launch event featured traditional carnival characters including elaborately costumed moko jumbies and dynamic red devils, who provided captivating entertainment for attendees. These cultural manifestations underscored the committee’s commitment to maintaining Trinidad’s rich carnival heritage.

Dyer-Stoute issued a compelling appeal to all stakeholders, urging active participation through formal registration and patriotic engagement with the group. The committee has announced an ambitious schedule of upcoming events, including a J’Ouvert celebration, calypso tents, and pretty mas performances scheduled for Carnival Monday and Tuesday, demonstrating their comprehensive approach to cultural preservation.