Security guard, 2 others detained for alleged extortion attempt

Police said a security guard was among three people arrested Friday after allegedly trying to extort a businesswoman.

The police were informed that on Friday around noon they carried out an operation in Chaguanas, after receiving a tip that several people – including a man who posed as a police officer – had tried to extort from the businesswoman $600,000 in cash.

The suspects threatened the woman and told her to go to the Royal Bank along Chaguanas Main Road to withdraw the money and hand it over to them.

The woman notified the police and a team led by Snr Sup Simon and Sup Gyan – with field operations led by Sgt Baboolal – intervened.

Officers conducted surveillance and intercepted the shed, leading to the arrest of three people, including a 44-year-old man from Harmony Hall in San Fernando; as well as a 40-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman, both of Crown Trace in Enterprise, after being found with the cash.

The 44-year-old man was searched and found to be a security guard, who had a licensed firearm loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Following these actions and discoveries, the three men were taken into police custody.

They were due to be questioned this weekend and will be charged and brought to court this week.

WPC Orosco continues its investigations.

More information on this as it becomes available.