WELL DONE PAJOE....I AM PROUD OF YOU.... Bar owner kills bandit: 4 suspects held By By Carolyn Kissoon carolyn.kissoon@trinidadexpress Story Created: May 31, 2014 at 8:47 PM ECT Story Updated: May 31, 2014 at 8:47 PM ECT A bandit was shot by a businessman during a robbery at his bar in Tabaquite, near Princes Town, on Friday night. The bandit was later found dead, slumped behind the steering wheel of the getaway car in Williamsville. He was identified as Kalen Lorez, 29, of Ecclesville, Rio Claro. A police manhunt was launched and four people, including three women, were detained in connection with the robbery. The incident occurred at Pajo’s Bar, along Tabaquite Road, around 11.30 p.m. Bar owner Winston Williams said he was not prepared to die at the hands of a bandit. And when he saw a masked man pointing a gun at him, Williams said the only thing he could do was fire first. He spoke to the Sunday Express through a burglar-proofed gate at his businessplace yesterday. A few patrons were seated outside the bar. Williams said, “There were not many patrons in the bar at the time. I was with my wife and some relatives seated outside the bar. About five of us were sitting and talking. Then three masked men came in and shouted for us to get inside. We went inside and I escaped through the back.” Williams, the owner of a licensed firearm, said the men helped themselves to bottles of brandy, cigarettes and cash. “I came back with my gun and one of the men turned to me and point- ed his weapon. At that time, the only thing I could do was fire first. I was terrified; I don’t know what was going through my mind at that time,” he said. Williams said the wounded man ran through the back while the other two escaped by running out the front door. The police were contacted and officers responded within minutes. The officers spotted the getaway car, a black Nissan B15, parked at the side of the road in Hardbargain. Lorez was slumped over the steering wheel of the vehicle. Police searched the area and found the four suspects—a man and three women—hiding at a bar in Williamsville. Investigators believe a fifth suspect escaped. Police said the male suspect is related to Lorez. Two of the women —a mother and her teenage daughter —live in Vistabella while the third woman is from Belmont. Williams said he opened the bar 13 years ago. His business was robbed three times, prompting him to install security cameras. “I got a gun because I have to protect myself and my family. I don’t know what other measures to take to protect myself. I cannot close down my business because this is my livelihood,” he said. Williams said he was afraid for his family’s safety. “Yes, I am very afraid right now. I hope nothing like this happens again. But if it does, I will not hesitate to protect myself,” he said. Police sergeant Roget of the Tableland Police Station is continuing investigations.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Jun 2014 01:20:23 +0000