Wednesday, July 4 2012

OFFICERS probing the theft of dilapidated No Parking signs from Police Traffic Branch compound, will approach the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) today for directions in the matter. At the center of the probe is a 28-year-old police constable of Arima.

Sources said the constable was held on Monday night while on duty at the Aranjuez South headquarters of Traffic Branch. He was arrested while on duty and dressed in his full uniform.

Sources added that following consultations yesterday afternoon, the constable was placed on an Identification Parade and was positively identified.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson said while he could not say much as the matter is still under investigation, he was clear in his view that, “you cannot just go and take these things, there is a process to get rid of these things.”

Two other men, who were arrested by police officers during the raid at the scrap yard remain in police custody. The men, sources said, claimed they thought the sale of the derelict No Parking signs was genuine since the constable came in a marked police vehicle and dressed in uniform.

At 2 pm on Sunday, two police officers in full police uniform went to the Beetham compound in a marked police car, stating they were given instructions to get rid of the signs. The constable spoke to a 48-year-old scrap iron dealer.

Arrangements were then made for the dealer to accompany the constable to the Abattoir Road compound of Police Traffic Branch, where the signs were removed after a sale price of $900 was agreed on.

The constable was arrested after motorists reported to police that a large number of the No Parking signs were seen at the scrap iron yard and a check at Traffic Branch revealed a number of No Parking signs missing with no senior officer authorising the removal. Investigations are continuing.