The TTPS has detained a 30-year-old man from Second Caledonia, Morvant, following a social media deal gone wrong in Morvant yesterday afternoon.

According to the TTPS, the suspect, who was the driver of the vehicle used during the incident, was nabbed yesterday by police officers on patrol who were alerted by two men who were allegedly robbed during a social media deal that went wrong mere moments before in the area.

Police also recovered a Glock 30, and seven rounds of 45 calibre ammunition following the interception of the men in the vicinity of an industrial compound along the Eastern Main Road, Morvant. A search is also underway for another male suspect who escaped from the scene following a shootout with the first responders.

According to police reports, at 2.30 pm on November 1st, two men responded to an ad on Facebook Marketplace to purchase a motor vehicle and proceeded to Sohan Trace, First Caledonia, Morvant where they were accosted by two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

The men reportedly relieved the potential buyers of $25,000 and escaped in an awaiting white Nissan Wingroad. The buyers immediately left the scene and upon reaching the traffic light at the intersection of the Lady Young Road and the Eastern Main Road (EMR), spotted a police cruiser and reported the incident.

The officers immediately began a search of the area and on reaching a nearby industrial compound spotted the vehicle matching the description of the report. Upon approaching the vehicle, the front-seat passenger alighted and ran east along the EMR while the back-seat passenger alighted and ran west.

Police gave chase after the suspect who ran east, when he suddenly stopped, turned in the direction of the officer and pointed a firearm at him. Police, who perceived that their lives were in danger and in keeping with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Use of Force Policy, fired in the direction of the suspect who fell and dropped the firearm. He, however, escaped.

Sgt Paul, of the Morvant CID is continuing investigations.