By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Sunday, September 2 2012

Killed in his sleep. Fifty-seven-year-old Ronald Clarke, of Olivevine Street, Bon Air West, Arouca, was shot to death on Friday night while asleep on his couch.

Police reported that shortly before 10 pm, Clarke had settled in at his home and was watching television with his wife on the couch of their living room.

A short while later, Clarke, an MTS worker, fell asleep where he was sitting. His wife continued to watch television.

At about 10.30 pm, two men stormed through the front door to the couple’s home.

The men, one of whom was reportedly armed with a shotgun, pointed the firearm at Clarke’s wife and ordered her into the bedroom.

The men followed the woman and proceeded to steal a quantity of cash and jewelry — while Clarke reportedly remained sleeping on the couch, unaware of what was transpiring around him.

As the bandits were leaving the house, they came across the sleeping man, police said. It was then that the men allegedly shot Clarke in the head, before fleeing the scene.

The police were immediately notified and a party of officers from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Arouca Police Station and the Northern Division Task Force responded.

Investigators told Sunday Newsday yesterday that a firearm was recovered at the scene of the murder, and that they were pursuing several leads.

Officers said they believe the bandits may not have been aware that Clarke was at home when they entered, and they panicked when they came across the sleeping man as they were leaving after robbing his wife. Investigations are continuing.