BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OPERATOR of Tangerine Tours, Christian ‘Trini’ Rameshwar had probably expected to have a day within the realms of the ordinary, but as early as 5:50 a.m. he realised that unfortunately his day would unravel as being far more interesting than he would have bargained for.
At that time, Rameshwar was in his Bay Road residence when he heard a strange sound and, upon peering through his window, observed an individual with what he perceived to be a sharp object which he used to puncture the front tyre of his taxi truck.
Rameshwar said he verbally accosted the man and inquired of him the reason for his action, but these were unheeded and unanswered and the chase of the tyre slasher began.
“I stood from where I was and saw the guy go by the Ferry Terminal. I called 911. The person asked me my name etc. and I told them the man is at the Ferry Terminal right now and he is wearing a yellow shirt with ‘11’ on the back of it. The guy then left the Ferry Terminal and I saw him go over the bridge by College Street Ghaut.
“I got into my vehicle with my tyre leaking. I followed the guy and he stopped by the Pelican Shopping Mall. All the while I was talking to the police on the phone telling them what I was doing and where the guy was. I followed the guy again while still in touch with the police.”
Rameshwar said he followed the man as far as Sandown Road and, before abandoning the chase, he watched the perpetrator enter into an alleyway.
When he got back to the Pelican Mall – Rameshwar explained – he met an Inspector of Police who, “using his personal vehicle”, provided some assistance. He declared that while he was at the Pelican Mall an individual there identified the assailant as one who resides at Buckley’s and who is possibly mentally disturbed.
And with his tyre slowly leaking air, Rameshwar said he went to the Basseterre Police Station to seek further assistance and was shocked to learn that no vehicle was available for the officers to go and make investigations.
The victim told this publication that he was able to get his tyre repaired and he learnt that, over the past couple of weeks, at least 12 vehicle owners – most of whom reside in or around De Village - were victims of tyre-slashings.
Additionally, he informed that two taxi colleagues who reside just blocks from him had their tyres slashed on the morning of August 14, and another neighbour had her vehicle tyre slashed on the same morning of his incident.
The taxi operator expressed serious concern with the situation, questioning what could have taken place if the assailant had turned his weapon on human beings rather than on inanimate objects.
Notwithstanding the difficulties he faced, Rameshwar offered special thanks to the Inspector who assisted him at the Pelican Mall, Assistant Commissioner of Police Merlese Dolphin – who was also of great assistance - and other officers at the Basseterre Police Station.
One would guess that the saga ended here…but it didn’t. Later that afternoon, Rameshwar spotted the man downtown Basseterre and immediately contacted the police.
He said they arrived within minutes and apprehended the individual.
Rameshwar also said that a search of the man’s person revealed a sharp ice pick and he was taken into custody.
