(Trinidad Express) Businessman Mohan Persad of supermarket chain Persad’s ‘D’ Food King and his wife were beaten and robbed during a home invasion early yesterday morning.
Bandits took a vault with cash, jewelry and guns from their New Grant, Princes Town, home.
The Persads, both 78 years old, were awoken around 3 a.m. by six men, a police report stated.
At least one of the men had a gun.
The Persads were beaten about their bodies, their hands tied with tie straps and their faces covered.
The men who had gained entry by prying open a window, then robbed the businessman of his vault which contained $10,000, a licensed revolver with 25 rounds of ammunition valued $7,000 and a licensed shotgun with ten rounds of ammunition valued $8,000 and a $3,000 cellphone. A digital video recorder (DVR) and a quantity of gold jewelry were also taken.
Jewelry and a $3,000 cellphone were also taken from Persad’s wife. The men then escaped through the front door and left on foot.
Police officers including crime scene investigators processed the scene. Constable Harripersad is continuing investigations.
Persad has several supermarkets in South Trinidad.
The Express visited the home yesterday but no family members were present.
In a press release titled “D Food King Robbery” Member of Parliament for the area Michelle Benjamin yesterday said it was a sad day for the Moruga/Tableland community as they “grapple with the shocking news of a prominent businessman and valued stakeholder falling victim to a vicious attack perpetrated by rogue elements that have been plaguing the area”.
Benjamin said the community had long looked up to the businessman as a beacon of hope and as one who not only contributed to the local economy but also played a vital role in fostering unity and development.
She said, “This brazen act of violence not only threatens the safety of individuals but also the very fabric of the community itself.”
Benjamin said it highlighted the urgent need for the Ministry of National Security, local law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to come together and take decisive action to rid these areas of rogue elements.
“Community members must also unite in solidarity, providing support to the victim and working hand in hand with the authorities to ensure that justice is served and their neighbourhood can once again thrive in peace,” she stated.