News Briefs

Robbers hit Appleton Estate

At least one suspect has been held in connection with yesterday morning’s armed robbery at the sales office of J. Wray & Nephew’s Appleton Estate in Siloah, St Elizabeth.

At least three gunmen reportedly entered the building about 11 a.m. and stole cash and other valuables.

In a statement yesterday, J. Wray & Nephew said that no one was physically hurt during the incident, but the team is emotionally shaken.

It was further indicated that the police are following strong leads into what is said to be the first such incident in the centuries-old company’s history.

Gonsalves takes over CARICOM reins this week

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves will officially take over the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) during a virtual special conference on Friday.

He will succeed Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who has held the post for the last six months.

During Friday’s virtual meeting, CARICOM leaders are expected to also address a number of procedural matters.

As CARICOM chairman, among other things, Mottley hosted the 31st Intersessional Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in February and held a number of special meetings in March and May to map out a strategy to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.

In addition, she facilitated a high-level meeting between CARICOM leaders and cruise liners to discuss mutual matters of interest.

CARICOM has 15 member states, including Jamaica, and five associate members.

T&T police say they foiled plot to destabilise country

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said that they have foiled a “well-orchestrated plan to destabilise the country” and have arrested 72 people as protesters blocked roads and fired shots, demanding that the officers involved in the deaths of three men last weekend by the police be brought to justice.

The police confirmed that one person has died as a result of the protest on Tuesday and said that “investigations are under way to determine the cause of her death”.

The police said that “intelligence has revealed that this was an orchestrated plan that was led by several gang members, whereby the intention was to use the shooting of the three young men a few days ago as a front to cover the planned plot to shut down the country”.

The statements added: “The plan to shut down the country involved setting fire to certain places ... and when police officers arrived, they would be fired upon. The plan was to kill police officers and to shoot up police stations.”

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith said that “their plan failed miserably and the TTPS is in full control”.