Senior Reporter
Police will be implementing more stop-and-search exercises along the Priority Bus Route after Wednesday’s daring daylight armed robbery aboard a maxi-taxi at Windy Hill in Arouca.
The robbery was recorded on a dashcam in the maxi-taxi, and the footage was widely shared on social media, prompting concern for the driver and passengers, and condemnation for the perpetrators who committed the robbery during rush-hour afternoon traffic.
Police said the 40-year-old driver from Valencia was plying his 24-seater maxi-taxi along the Priority Bus Route (PBR) on Wednesday when he stopped around 4.45 pm at Five Rivers Junction in Arouca to pick up a woman who had been dressed in full Muslim garb.
Upon reaching the amber lights at the Bon Air West intersection, the woman rang the bell to exit.
The driver’s dashcam showed that as he was collecting the cash from her, five men—one of whom was armed with a knife—entered the maxi and robbed the driver of $300 in cash, as well as the passengers of their belongings, including handbags, mobile phones and parcels, before running away.
Acknowledging the public’s fear and anxiety, which had increased following the robbery, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishi Singh said, “I have mandated the stations that have proximity to the PBR, to treat with the issue of greater activities like routine stop and search that will perhaps deter persons from engaging in that type of activity.”
Indicating the police were working assiduously to resolve the matter, Singh declined to respond to online claims that a suspect had been detained in connection with the robbery.
He said, “I will not be able to confirm the reports on social media that a man was held.”
However, police said a suspect was held after the robbery, but investigators are working to determine if he was involved in that incident.
Meanwhile, both drivers and passengers yesterday called for increased police presence along the PBR as the Christmas season approaches.
One driver said, “You can’t stop them things from happening. You have to do what you have to do.”
“I have to make money. The guy who get robbed back out working today. He on the road. So who is me.”
He declared, “I’m a praying man.”
Another driver called on the police to do their job and catch the criminals, while a third driver revealed, “Of course I’m worried, but I can’t do anything though because they could come anytime and rob you.”
Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of police presence, especially during off-peak hours, he continued, “They more interested in harassing us than stopping crime.”
“There isn’t much we can do. We just have to keep working and hope for the best. I don’t believe in guns for maxi drivers. Guns won’t help. We just need more police on the PBR.”
A female commuter said, “I am worried, but I have to get home. We just need more police along the route.”
Another woman expressed fear as she said, “I am worried, especially coming to Christmas. They say everybody looking for it, so it’s just about exercising caution.”
She advised people to “Travel with less cash and be more mindful. Don’t be on the phone as much. Have your passage money out and secure the rest of the items so they aren’t easily accessible. Separate travel and spending money. There is not enough police presence, but even if so, what they could do.”
Asked if she felt the driver and passengers could have resisted or challenged the suspects, she exclaimed, “Next thing you dead and people stepping over you to go home!”
“Just be careful... especially the women. Having been through it, I know it’s traumatic.”
One male commuter said, “I don’t travel with much money, and if they come, I’m giving them what I have. I have my family to get home to, and I don’t want to get stabbed.”
But he insisted, “Drivers need to be more vigilant, though. They need to be careful when they are stopping and look out for these dubious-looking characters who might be waiting.”
His friend added, “They need more police in my opinion. It has main stops, but they need more.”
“Passengers also need to be on the phone less and be more aware, and try their best to secure their items.”
Asked how maxi-taxi drivers could make themselves into hard targets against the criminal elements, ACP Singh said, “I want to encourage maxi drivers to invest in any type of dash cam. In this instance, it did provide an opportunity for the world to see what types of threats persons face.”
He added, “When you are faced with circumstances where you have doubts about picking up a passenger, sometimes you should follow that intuition from time to time.”
