A Route 48 minibus driver has been arrested by police after he attempted to attack an on-duty traffic rank with a cutlass yesterday afternoon on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.
Police in a statement last night said that their investigations revealed that Constable Connelly was on motorcycle patrol proceeding west on Homestretch Avenue while minibus BZZ 3029 was proceeding east on the same road. The traffic rank then observed the driver of the bus overtaking a line of traffic of approximately 15 vehicles. As a result, the driver was stopped and told of the offence – considered to be dangerous driving – and was asked to produce his driver’s licence. However, according to police, the driver failed to comply and drove away.
The traffic cop gave chase and was able to catch up with the driver and the bus on Sheriff Street where he stopped the driver for a second time.
A video circulated on Facebook shows that after the bus was pulled over, a third party, a female who appeared to be the conductor, tried to prevent the situation from escalating. She stood between the rank and the driver, who remained in the bus.
However, as the traffic rank pressed for the driver to exit the vehicle, he stepped out seemingly in a rage and went to the left passenger side where he armed himself with a weapon, which appeared to be a cutlass and pursued Constable Connelly.
The constable then fled in a bid to prevent himself from being hurt, police said.
After the chase, the driver got back into the minibus and drove to his Sophia residence where he was later arrested by a patrol and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he remains in custody.
Investigations are ongoing.
