I955 FM
  • WATCH
    LIVE
  • CALL US AT:

    OFF AIR : 1-868-628-4955 (Front Desk)

    ON AIR : 1-868-622-3937 (Live On Air )

Central business community plunged into mourning as auto shop owner is gunned down

Gun related killings continue.

Darren Dindial has been shot and killed at his business place in Chaguanas.

He was the owner of Darren Auto Shop.

Reports say the incident took place at Caparo Valley Brasso Road in Montrose at around 6:30 last evening.

Newscenter 5 understands residents heard explosions and went to investigate.

They found Mr. Dindial lying in his shop suffering from gunshot wounds.

He was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he died.

And 27-year-old Shamal Hilaire of Maracas St. Joseph has been gunned down on Ste. Madeleine Circular Street.

He is the 3rd shooting victim in the area in just about a week.

Mr. Hilaire was shot several times while he sat in the driver’s seat of his parked vehicle yesterday morning.

His brother in law who sat in the passenger seat next to Mr. Hilaire was shot on one of his hands.

It is reported the shooter fired at Mr. Hilaire at close range, before fleeing the scene.

Mr. Hilaire’s father Leo was at the scene yesterday.

He said his son was a first time father of a 3-month-old baby girl.

One week ago Omar Allan Sinanan was shot as he sat on the porch of a relative’s apartment on the corner of Ste. Madeleine Circular and Belle Vue Streets.

The next night Jewel Bynoe and security guard Randolph Adonis were shot and wounded while at a mini mart on Bellle Vue Street.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Police believe 2 Jamaican nationals and a resident of Carapichaima can assist in cable theft

Police believe 2 Jamaican nationals and a resident of Bank Village, Carapichaima can assist them with their investigations into cable theft.

A statement from the TTPS says the 3 men were believed to be at the scene, where 24-year-old Dillon Straughn, was shot dead on Saturday morning. 

The TTPS says Mr. Straughn was caught stealing cables on Waterloo Road, Bank Village, near Sinaswee Street and was fatally shot at around 4:35am.

A 17-year-old of Chase Village and a 16-year-old of Perseverance Village were also shot and wounded while the driver of the vehicle fled the scene, leaving the dead man and his accomplices behind.

Police are looking into reports of a cable theft ring operating in the area and strongly believe the Jamaican nationals, who operate a car wash business, and another man, who is allegedly involved in the scrap iron business, can assist them.

The TTPS is asking members of the public who have information on the matter to call 800-TIPS, 555, 999 or log on to the TTPS app.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Scrap iron dealers blame government and TSTT for increased cable theft

Scrap Iron Dealers Association president Allan Ferguson

Scrap iron dealers are not taking any blame for recent increase in cable theft.

At a news conference yesterday, President of the association representing dealers, Allan Furguson blames TSTT for these incidents of theft.

He said his association has made recommendations to the telecommunications company.

Mr. Furguson is also pointing fingers at the government.

Mr. Furguson said his association remains open to talks on the issue.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Firearms Unit of the TTPS investigation continues

Former Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith

The investigation into the operations of the Firearms Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service goes on.

It is now reported that 2 officers attached to the unit have been questioned in connection with allegations of corruption.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds announced the investigation last November.

At the time he promised an in-depth and comprehensive audit into the operations of the unit.

The audit followed the findings of an initial investigation by retired Appeal Court Judge Stanley John.

The Police Service Commission initiated Justice John’s probe.

The reported corruption is said to have occurred under the watch of then Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith.

Mr. Griffith says it is noteworthy that 18 months have passed since the claims and only 2 officers have been questioned.

He describes the allegations as wild and reckless.

Mr. Griffith also says during his time as Commissioner over 100 police officers were held accountable and were either arrested or charged for offences.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Public Utilities Minister denies having ties to the former CEO of WASA

Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales

Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales is rubbishing Opposition claims that he has a relationship with the former Chief Executive Officer at the Water And Sewerage Authority.

On Sunday during the media conference of the United National Conference Princes Town MP Barry Padarath called on the Minister to state the nature of his relationship with Mr. Shurlan Sheppard.

However, speaking with Newscenter 5 yesterday Mr. Gonzales said there was nothing between his office and that of the former CEO.

Minister Gonzales also gave the reason for the suspension of Mr. Shepperd from WASA.

Minister Gonzales further stated the Board of Commissioners at WASA had his full support in its decision.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Missing persons report now a homicide investigation

Just over 2 hours after he was reported missing, the body of Stefan Diaz was found in Blanchisseuse.

According to police the body was discovered in some bushes in La Fillette Village, yesterday afternoon.

A close female friend of Mr. Diaz made the report to the police and later found the body.

According to reports at 12:30pm, officers of the Blanchisseuse Police Station received information of a body found at Water Reserve Trace, La Fillette Village.

Police say Mr. Diaz’s body was found by one of his female friends.

The same friend reported him missing at 10 am.

The mother of the deceased later identified the corpse.

Mr. Diaz lived at Borough Road, Maracas Bay.

Sgt. Hosein is investigating.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Incident in Diego Martin sees 1 man dead and 2 of his relatives wounded

One man is dead; 2 of his relatives are badly wounded during an incident in Diego Martin.

The identity of the deceased is Michael Vialva.

Reports say the incident took place along Feild Trace at Waterwheel Road during the early hours of yesterday morning.

The man’s son Raphael Vialva was asleep at the family’s home when he heard a noise from his father’s bedroom.

He then saw a relative attacking his father, Michael Vialva, with a knife.

The attacker is said to have turned on Raphael Vialva and stabbed him several times.

A female relative, Kimberly Short was also stabbed and wounded.

All 3 were taken to hospital where the elderly Mr. Michael Vialva was pronounced dead.

The 2 survivors were up to last evening hospitalised.

Kimberly Short was said to be in a serious condition but stable.

In another violent incident, Peter Guerero was shot dead at his home in Moruga.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night at La Lune Village.

Forty-four-year-old Mr. Guerero was shot in the head and face.

Police say they found 32 spent shells at the scene of the killing.

Mr. Guerero was also known as “Shortman”.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

UDECOTT issues packages linked to POS General Hospital redevelopment

The Urban Development Corporation issues the first of 7 packages linked to the redevelopment of the central block of the Port of Spain General Hospital.

Shanghai Construction by letter dated April 8th told the Urban Development Corporation that it had no choice but to pull out of the project.

The company cited the lockdown in Shanghai, issues related to its staff and logistical issues it faced procuring materials.

The contractor, in its letter, indicated that it would be best the government and UDECOTT find another contractor to complete the project.

As a result the Cabinet broke up the project into 7 contracts.

CEO of UDECOTT, Tamika Charles-Phillip confirmed yesterday that the first of the packages went out on Tuesday.

Mrs. Charles-Phillip also told Newscenter 5 this is a fast moving project and work would commence soon.

UDECOTT assured the project will be delivered within a timely period noting that it would also maximize local content, as it would provide greater opportunities for local contractors and generate employment.

The firm added that this approach was successfully implemented at the Red House restoration project and it was completed in record time and created hundreds of jobs.

Posted in Business News, Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Tongue lashing for the media from Minister Webster-Roy

Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy

A tongue lashing for the media over its treatment of the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.

Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy says better needs to be done.

Minister Webster-Roy, who has responsibility for gender and child affairs and the National Aids Coordinating Committee, says the role of the media is critical in treating with the issue at hand.

She says her Ministry has also put things in place to aid media practitioners in relation to reporting gender-based violence.

She is also pleading with the media to partner in the fight against gender-based violence.

She says the main aim is to have a society free of violence at all levels.

Minister Webster-Roy was speaking yesterday at the EU/UN spotlight initiative addressing the elimination of violence against women and girls hosted by her Ministry.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment

Delay in the start of the Commission of Enquiry into the diving tragedy at Paria Fuels

Acting Prime Minister, Colm Imbert

Acting Prime Minister Colm Imbert says the Commissioners of the Enquiry into the February drowning of 4 men will receive their instruments of appointment by weeks end.

But it is still not certain when they will begin hearings.

Minister Imbert said the commissioners are set to be installed.

Member for Couva south Rudranath Indarsingh would probe the acting Prime Minister on a third commissioner.

But Mr. Imbert said it will be a consulting role to be filled by a firm.

Speaking during the Prime Minister’s questions in the House of Representatives yesterday he could not say when the hearings would start.

Mr. Imbert is acting as Prime Minister as Dr. Keith Rowley is on State business in Barbados.

Posted in Local News, News, Top News | Leave a comment