(Trinidad Express) “Terrible, terrible”, said Telecom Security Services owner Derek Chin, in commenting on yesterday’s slaying of a security officer in Cunupia yesterday.
Police said that around 11.30 a.m., officer Hasely Augustine, 46, was among a party of three other armed Telecom officers who went to deposit cash at an RBC Royal Bank automated teller machine at DS Plaza, Chin Chin Road, Cunupia.
While they were depositing the cash, they were ambushed by five men armed with a mix of assault rifles and hand guns.
Police said one of the bandits began struggling with Augustine, during which the bandit fired off several shots which struck Augustine at point blank range.
Augustine then slumped to the ground while the five bandits escaped in a waiting black Hyundai Ioniq, which was later found abandoned at Welcome Road, Cunupia.
Augustine’s colleagues then pulled him out of the ATM and took him to the Cunupia Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Contacted yesterday, Chin, owner of MovieTowne, said he was in Canada but heard about the incident a short time after it happened.
“Terrible, terrible. This is so horrendous and difficult. This is our second loss in 41 years and it hurts as always,” he said.
“The staff and management are all affected and our condolences go out to his immediate family and counselling has been arranged and we are in discussions with his family.”