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Offline asylumseeker

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #150 on: February 04, 2021, 10:01:02 AM »
Woman arrested in Andrea's kidnapping
T&T Express Reports.


Two suspects in the Andrea Bharatt kidnapping were released from custody without charges on Wednesday.

This according to defence attorney Fareed Ali, who said that a woman was among the three still in custody.

In a statement, Ali said that two men, ages 20 and 26, who were arrested on Sunday by a team of Special Operations Response Team (SORT) officers and detained at the Arima Police Station were released from police custody on Wednesday.

The two are from the Arima district. One is unemployed and the other a PH taxi driver, said Ali.

He said police, in examining the phone records of one of the male suspects, located a woman who was possession of an item that allegedly belonged to Bharatt.

The woman was arrested on Sunday and remains in custody.

The questioning of the woman led to the arrest of a man, said Ali.

Of the six persons held, one died on Monday, but the death of this suspect, Andrew Morris, only became known in a police press release on Wednesday evening.

Another is in hospital, purported being treated for injuries while attempting to escape the police.

Ali said he is also representing the woman.

Wednesday made it six days since anyone has seen Bharatt, a clerk at the Arima Magistrates’ Court.

An extensive search has been carried out in the forests around Sangre Grande involving police officers, soldiers and volunteers. Nothing has been found.

Last Friday, Bharatt got into a taxi at King Street, Arima, with a co-worker.

The taxi, a Nissan Versa, carried false "H" plates.

Bharatt and her friend were in the back seat. There was a man in the front passenger seat.

The friend dropped off shortly after at Cleaver Heights, Arima.

Bharatt never made it to her home at 110 Arima Old Road, Arima, where she lived with her father Randolph.

He called his daughter’s phone but a man answered saying she was not available.

The father pleaded to hear his child’s voice but the man responded, “This is about money. If you don’t pay the ransom I will cut off your daughter’s ears and send it to you.”

An investigation led to the arrests of suspects.

One of the men has been charged with 70 offences including rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment.

More than 40 of those charges are pending but he was out on bail.



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Offline Flex

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #151 on: February 05, 2021, 06:33:31 PM »
Andrea’s decomposed body found in Heights of Aripo
By Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian)


Agony and heartbreak for the nation and family of 23-year-old Andrea Bharatt as her decomposed body was found off a precipice in the Heights of Aripo in Arima just after noon yesterday.

Bharatt’s kidnapping six days ago had triggered an outpouring of prayers and unity by a nation that had banded together determined to find the missing woman and bring her safely home to her family.

Her disappearance bled the hearts of parents across the country who could understand the hurt and pain that consumed her father, Randolph Bharatt, daily as he hung on to hope that his daughter would be found safe and sound.

But that realisation was shattered when her father got the dreaded call by police to come to the Heights of Aripo to identify the female body that was discovered.

The discovery of the body, investigators told Guardian Media, was made by 22-year-old Jody Sutherland, a self-employed landscaper, while driving his vehicle along the winding road of the Heights or Aripo close to 12.25 pm.

Sutherland told police he was looking for scrap iron when he peered over the precipice on the eastern side of the roadway and saw what appeared to be the body of a young woman clothed in pink underwear and a multicoloured top.

The body, police said, appeared to be in a decomposed state and lying face down.

Shortly after 3 pm, Andrea’s father was hustled to the crime scene with worry etched on his face.

He was taken beyond the police tape that ensured that the media and other onlookers were kept a safe distance as officers of the Crime Scene Unit processed the scene.

Several police officers stood in a huddle with Andrea’s father as other relatives poured in and joined him as they waited anxiously for the police and fire officials to retrieve the body.

The body was found in a heavily forested forest over a steep precipice approximately 20-30 feet down.

Police had obtained a rope to assist in retrieving the woman’s body, but the services of the Fire Land and Search Unit were soon called in to ensure that the body was extracted easily from the rugged terrain.

Andrea’s father and other relatives were later allowed to view the body and investigators said based on the clothing found on the woman’s body, her father and other relatives were able to confirm it was Andrea.

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith issued a media statement shortly after 4 pm confirming the news that the body found was Andrea.

Within half an hour of arriving, Randolph Bharatt was escorted from the crime scene.

He put on a brave face as he walked past members of the media, a woman police officer clenching his hands tightly and another officer urging her “to hold him.”

The father, mourning the loss of his only daughter, a clerk from the Arima Magistrate’s Court, was whisked into a private vehicle.

Just a few vehicles up the roadway, another relative who had also been on the crime scene wept uncontrollably in the back seat of a van as she was consoled by several police officers who shielded her from the glare of media cameras.

Several hunters who had been lending their assistance to the police for Andrea over the last three days had also gathered at the crime scene, hoping that the body that had been found was not her.

But their optimism was quickly dashed after they were later told by police that the relatives had identified the body as Andrea.

“It’s really heartbreaking. We really thought this might have turned out differently. We hope this will help the nation to band together and be one another’s keeper,” said one hunter.

Bharatt’s kidnapping had triggered a massive search in east Trinidad since Monday as police and hunters scoured several forested areas in the Fishing Pond area in Sangre Grande and had also searched parts of the Valencia area on Wednesday as well as the Windy Hill area in Arouca.

Yesterday, the search ended in Heights of Aripo and now the nation bleeds for Andrea—another young woman’s life snuffed out by cold-blooded killers.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #152 on: February 08, 2021, 04:19:06 PM »
Breaking News - Main suspect in Andrea's murder is dead
By Mark Bassant (T&T Guardian).


The man said by police to be the main suspect in the kidnapping and murder of Andrea Bharatt is dead.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith confirmed to Guardian Media that Joel Belcon, 37, died while being treated at the Mount Hope hospital.

Other senior police sources told Guardian Media that he died around 2:40 pm.

Belcon sources said was the man that drove the Nissan Versa in which Bharatt was kidnapped on January 29.

Belcon, a known sex offender was detained with several other persons two days later for questioning into her disappearance.

He made an attempt to escape from police custody at Jacob Settlement in Sangre Grande last Sunday.

Belcon, alias Devon Charles, investigators believe is responsible for the disappearance of several women -including one woman who went missing 13 years ago.


Joel Balcon - Main suspect in the murder of Andrea Bharatt

RELATED NEWS

More human remains found in Heights of Aripo
KEN CHEE HING (T&T NEWSDAY).


A MAJOR exercise on Sunday involving dozens of police officers, soldiers, hunters and trackers led to the discovery of human skeletal remains in the forests off the road in the Heights of Aripo on Sunday.

The remains were found not far from where the body of kidnap victim Andrea Bharatt was found last week Thursday – six days after she was snatched shortly after getting into a car she thought was a taxi on the Cleaver Road/Arima Old Road taxi stand.

At least six people were detained in connection with Bharatt's murder, but one has since died while in police custody and another suspect remains in hospital.

Hours after Bharatt's body was recovered, police found another set of human remains in the Heights of Aripo. The discovery on Sunday will be the third body found in this  area within the past week. Up to a short time ago, police were still at the Heights of Aripo  investigating.

« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 04:21:00 PM by Flex »
The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #153 on: February 12, 2021, 02:38:21 AM »
Over 500 businesses shut today in solidarity.
T&T Guardian Reports.


Over 500 businesses have announced they will be closed today as murder victim Andrea Bharatt is laid to rest.

The decision to shut down comes after over a hundred demonstrations across the country to highlight violence against women and call for legislators to pass necessary laws to cause it to cease.

Bharatt, 23, was kidnapped on January 29 and her decomposing body was found in the Heights of Aripo one week later on February 4.

The shutdown stems from a call made by a group, An Act for Change, which wanted women to stay away from work.

Other demonstrators turned it into a call for workplaces to shut down entirely.

By noon yesterday, lists began circulating on social media with the names of businesses who announced their decisions to close and by late yesterday that list grew to over 500, made up of mainly small and medium-sized businesses.

Among those remaining closed are Xtra Foods Supermarkets, auto parts stores, insurance enterprises, food outlets, cosmetic/fashion stores, hardware, medical labs and legal services. One agricultural outfit is closing for three days.

List compiled from social media posts

Attorney at law, Kandace Bharath-Nahous told Guardian Media she and a colleague compiled the list, taking hours to do so, using Facebook posts.

“One page had a few running posts, where the businesses were listed and they also had, for the most part, photos of messages that the businesses would have sent to them, confirming they were closing and then within the comments on those posts, with the list, other businesses have confirmed they are closing and I have also received probably 100 messages from Facebook and WhatsApp from businesses that have confirmed that they are closing tomorrow,” Bharath-Nahous said.

Asked why she began putting together the list, she said, “I think that we were all as a nation rocked by the recent events. The tipping point was the brutal murder of Andrea and before her, Ashanti. I say tipping point because this is where many people, including myself, feel that this situation cannot go on. As a woman, I do not feel safe in my country, in my home, in my office…anywhere really and I would have been the victim of crime on two occasions at least.”

She said she believes Andrea’s murder has to be the point where the country unites and puts aside its political beliefs to call for real change.

Businessman Ganesh Diptee was one of the first to announce yesterday that his business place, Diptee’s Hardware, would be closed today.

He sent out a call to the rest of the business community, saying, “I would like to ask other business people to join into this movement to keep it at the top of the agenda of the powers that be so that changes can be effected.”

White ribbon initiative

Secondary school teacher, Seema Suraj, who organised last Sunday’s motorcade from Chaguanas to the Queen’s Park Savannah is calling on citizens to wear a white ribbon today in Bharatt’s memory.

Suraj said she will be supporting the call to stay away from work and will spend her day in demonstrations around the Savannah and in front of the Parliament.

She said the white ribbon initiative came about as a way to show support for those who have been abused or attacked.

“I see the need for people to have a platform to be comfortable to speak about their experiences and we will be there to provide support to empower them—it’s not just for women but men and children too,” Suraj said.

She will officially launch the initiative next Saturday.

Meanwhile, one of the founders of ‘An Act to Change, Nadia Juman has sent out a call for radio stations to play uplifting music all day today.

Juman suggested among them, the song ‘No Greater Time,’ a collaborative music project created by over 35 local musicians.

“We need lyrics that have an uplifting vibe to support the movement to spread the word that we need unity to bring about change, this is a crisis of violence,” Juman said.

One man has since been charged for her murder, while two suspects have died in police custody. A woman has also been charged with receiving stolen items.


Scores of people walk along the Criosse in San Juan during a candlelight vigil for Andrea Bharatt and other female victims of violence last night. ...ANISTO ALVES


A woman lights a candle at a vigil for Andrea Bharatt during a candle light vigil in Freeport last night. ...SHARLENE RAMPERSAD

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline Flex

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #154 on: February 12, 2021, 02:42:02 AM »
George charged for Bharatt's murder
SHANE SUPERVILLE (T&T NEWSDAY)


A 24-year-old Malabar man has been charged with the murder of 22-year-old court clerk Andrea Bharatt.

Sources said Negus George of 7th Street, Gooding Trace, Malabar, was charged on Thursday morning with Bharatt's murder after investigators received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard on Wednesday afternoon.

A 37-year-old female relative who was also arrested is expected to be charged with receiving stolen items, including Bharatt's clothing and cellphone.

Investigators from the Arima CID laid the charges.

Bharatt's body was found in the Heights of Aripo on February 4.


Negus George - Photo courtesy TTPS


Giselle Hobson - Photo courtesy TTPS


File photo from candlelight vigil opposite the Red House for Andrea Bharatt and other victims who lost their lives to violent crimes on Monday. - AYANNA KINSALE

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline ABTrini

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #155 on: February 13, 2021, 07:47:25 AM »
People talking about the safety of the country and the ease of which crimes like these occur but if we some politicians but country before self. Just maybe there could be some harder deterance in place to deal with the criminal elements of society.

It's a downright shame that some lawyers are living off  ' criminality'!  When you read about the alleged killers in this case and learn of their prior convictions, you wonder how were they enjoying the freedom to roam and eventuality commit a senseless deed.

How is it that an opposition of this country would take such a stance to oppose supporting legislature to pass a bill to be more stringent with criminals?
 Then people crying out for the government to do more?  Yuh cannot put a police in every house in every car in every village  in every corner  as a deterrent to criminal activity! However if criminals were to u derstand  that when caught- u der overwhelming proof there is no trial no lawyer waiting for a pay off- no life - no death row - no years of taxpayers money to support a life in prison but two choices- Firing squad or public hanging!!!

Who doh hear must feel- no amnesty - no court of appeals - no cases to London or U.K.  A  wanton crime against  humanity  USA allow for humanity to be as swift and justified in administering justice.

The means must justify the end- if  proven criminals beyond a doubt should, meet with their fate in the course of their capture then so be it!!

Enough of the 'gangster mercenaries for hire free lancing' of criminals in our society! Last year I read of a   Man who while supervising  on the job in Trincity mall, was shot by a man who walked on the site in broad daylight! No cameras no one identified the culprit and that criminal is walking around breathing today! The victim turned out to be a distant relative I learned afterwards- a Church going  family man - sad sad .

We are all victims of these criminals - victims of fear - to step into a taxi to be at home without multiple locks  barricading us - imprisoning us in our homes- fear of walking the streets of uttering a word to anyone- in case it may offend - yes  callous criminals are moving about without fear of reprisals  armed and dangerous they are fearless in throughout their prowling-
Yes opposition get rid of your arrogance and support government legislature  to deal more severely with these  derelicts of society.
Our COP was justified in his  assertions that the police could on.y do so much  because it seems than when the work is done to capture these criminals , then the lawyers go to work and find all kinda loopholes to ensure their freedom- this is the breakdown in our society - criminals supporting lawyers both getting rich of each other.


Offline Flex

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #156 on: February 15, 2021, 05:20:11 PM »
Law body wants foreign cops to probe death of Bharatt murder suspect
SEAN DOUGLAS (T&T NEWSDAY).


THE Law Association on Sunday called for foreign police to probe the death of Andrew Morris, a suspect in the kidnapping and murder of Andrea Bharatt.

Bharatt, 23, a court clerk, was kidnapped on January 29 and her decomposing body was found in the Heights of Aripo. She was cremated last Friday.

The association cited a media report relating to Morris's arrest two days after Bharrat's abduction and the results of a private autopsy.

The statement referred to the results of an autopsy by Prof Hubert Daisley which found "multiple injuries of blunt force trauma covering most of the anterior chest wall, the abdomen and posterior chest/back, both upper limbs and lower limbs.”

Daisley concluded death was from "severe blunt force trauma to his chest, abdomen, limbs and skull.”

The association said, "These reports put into question the accuracy of the explanation given by the police for Mr Morris’s death in police custody, that he fell off a chair, and give rise to the obvious need for the institution of a prompt, thorough and independent criminal investigation into the possible homicide of Mr Morris."

The association also raised concern about the circumstances surrounding the death of Joel Balcon in police custody. Balcon was identified as the main suspect in Bharatt's murder and was reportedly injured when he tried to escape from police.

"The circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Morris also call for outside, regional assistance in order that any concerns of a cover up may be avoided.

"The association calls upon the Minister of National Security and the Director of Public Prosecutions to do all within the remit of their respective offices to ensure that a thorough and independent investigation is promptly carried out into the deaths of Mr Morris and Mr Balcon."

The Police Complaints Authority is investigating the deaths of the two suspects.

The association said it also supported foreign police probing the Drugs Sou Sou fiasco, given that police officers were allegedly involved in the scheme.

The real measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.

Offline ABTrini

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Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« Reply #157 on: February 15, 2021, 10:03:23 PM »
Law society should be lobbying tbemselves as to why these criminals were free to roam the streets  to commit  these henieous crimes.

 

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