TTPS Urging Landlords To Conduct Proper Screening of Tenants, After Elderly Woman Kidnapped In San Juan

By —

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is urging landlords in Trinidad and Tobago to consider risk management, legal compliance and proper screening when leasing their property. This follows the kidnapping of an elderly female landlord from her home in San Juan on Wednesday night (25th March, 2026), by one of her tenants and his accomplices. The woman was thankfully rescued several hours later from a vessel at sea during a co-ordinated intelligence-led operation.

The TTPS notes that, “A strong vetting process upfront (especially Certificate of Character and Immigration checks) will save you serious stress, legal costs and property damage later.”

Follow these safety tips when leasing property:

  • Conduct background checks on potential tenants. Require every adult tenant to provide a recent Certificate of Character and two (2) valid forms of ID.
  • Use a properly drafted written lease agreement. Have a local attorney review or draft it to match Trinidad and Tobago's laws.
  • Screen for financial stability and reliability. Ask for a job letter or proof of income, recent pay-slips or bank statements and references from previous landlords.
  • Inspect and document everything before tenants move in.
  • Verify immigration status for non-nationals. If renting to foreigners, ensure they are legally permitted to reside in Trinidad and Tobago and adhere to all Immigration laws and requirements.

According to reports, 73-year-old landlord Tara Poliah was abducted by a Venezuelan tenant and several accomplices from her home along Don Miguel Road in San Juan, shortly after 7:00 PM on Wednesday night (25th March, 2026). Poliah’s kidnapping was captured on CCTV footage, which also showed her abductors bundling her into a white Nissan AD wagon (PEA 3592), before fleeing the scene.

A total of eleven (11) suspects are currently in custody in connection with the incident.

Investigations are continuing.
—

Follow our WhatsApp Channel or Facebook Messenger Channel to receive alerts as soon as we publish our articles, including breaking news.

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Right Now On Youthere1 News

BODY of Missing 12-Year-Old Girl Found In Forested Area In Erin — Police Investigating

By —
Image
UPDATE 8:  Police have confirmed that the 26-year-old man in custody is to be charged with murder following investigations surrounding the death of 12-year-old Mercedes Layne. The suspect has been publicly identified as Richard Renales of Dickie Trace, Beach Road, Palo Seco. Renales is expected to appear before a High Court Master on Thursday (11th June, 2026). The charge is expected to be formally laid by Woman Corporal Dyer-Baptiste of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI) Region III. UPDATE 7:  New surveillance video has emerged, recorded on Saturday (6th June, 2026), which shows the suspect’s station wagon entering Los Iros Road, where he was supposed to drop off Mercedes, before coming to a stop near a supermarket. However, moments later, the driver is seen reversing the vehicle then heading in the direction of Carapal Road. The vehicle is said to have continued along Carapal Road for several minutes before driving up a hill near the WASA pumping station. This is...
Read more

T&T 5-Day Weather Outlook: Tuesday To Saturday

By —
Image
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), a well-formed and relatively strong North Atlantic high pressure cell is expected to continue pushing moderately strong winds across the Tropical Atlantic, transporting varying concentrations of Saharan dust across Trinidad and Tobago and the Lesser Antilles during this outlook period (Tuesday 9th June to Saturday 13th June, 2026). While the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is likely to remain South of Trinidad, the passage of Tropical Waves is expected to cause some moisture to be modulated Northward across Trinidad and Tobago and the Southern Windward Islands, increasing convergence and cloudy periods with medium chances for isolated heavy showers or thunderstorm activity, between pre-dawn on Wednesday (10th June, 2026) and pre-dawn on Friday (12th June, 2026). Tropical Waves, Troughs And Disturbances The axis of a Tropical Wave presently positioned near 43W is moving Westward at approximately 15 kts. At prese...
Read more

Burnt Body Found Inside Vehicle In Wallerfield Near Prior Murders — Police Investigating

By —
Image
The charred remains of a man was found in Wallerfield on Sunday (7th June, 2026). The deceased is believed to be Clint Gomez, also known by the alias “Milky,” as official confirmation is pending. According to reports, the body was found inside a vehicle near Block 5 on Moonan Road. A District Medical Officer (DMO) later ordered the removal of the remains to the Forensic Science Centre in St. James, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. Police have not yet released further details. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the murder. The discovery has renewed attention on the Moonan Road area, which has been linked to several serious crimes in recent years. In April of this year, 34-year-old Anthony Francis, also known as “Smalls,” was shot dead during a pre-dawn attack at a house along Moonan Road. Reports stated that around 2:00 AM, a gunman opened fire on the house, directing several shots through a bedroom window where Fra...
Read more

BODY of 26-Year-Old Female Ministry Employee Found Inside Her El Socorro Home

By —
Image
The body of a woman was found inside her home in El Socorro on Friday evening (5th June, 2026). The deceased has been identified as 26-year-old Aquilah Rebekah Henry of Oudan Road, El Socorro. She was an employee of the Ministry of National Security, attached to the Police Administration Building as a Clerk II. According to reports, Police and Emergency Health Services responded to a call for assistance at Henry’s residence, shortly after 6:30 PM. Upon arrival, they discovered her unresponsive inside a room of the home, in an apparent suicide. Henry’s father told Officers that he had last seen his daughter earlier that morning. Concerned after not hearing from her throughout the day, he later went to check on her and made the tragic discovery. Medical personnel and a District Medical Officer (DMO) were summoned to the scene, where Henry was officially pronounced dead. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding her death. If you or someone you know is struggling wi...
Read more

Reports: 5 Persons Shot In Malick — 2 Dead, 3 Wounded; Police On The Scene

By —
Image
UPDATE 2:  One of the deceased victims, Oren Danglade, also known as “Grimey,” was previously linked to investigations into the murder of 33-year-old Jamal Carter, also known as “Big Joe,” who was shot dead in Morvant on 16th May, 2026. In that incident, Carter, of Coconut Drive, Morvant, was liming near a wooden structure at Arneaud Avenue off Lady Young Road, when three (3) armed men approached and opened fire. Crime scene investigators recovered twenty-six (26) spent 9mm shell casings and one (1) live round. Detectives are now examining whether the deadly attack in Malick on Friday (5th June, 2026) may be linked to ongoing gang conflicts and retaliatory violence connected to recent murders in East Port-of-Spain and Morvant. UPDATE:  The massacre in Malick on Friday (5th June, 2026) is now a triple murder as another victim has succumbed to their injuries. The latest victim has been identified as Keron Paul, who died while receiving treatment at the Eric Williams Medical Sci...
Read more

Palo Seco Man In Custody Following Discovery of Missing 12-Year-Old Girl In Erin

By —
Image
A 26-year-old man is currently in Police custody as investigators continue enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne of Los Iros, Erin , whose body was discovered earlier today (Sunday 7th June, 2026), hours after she was reported missing. In a Media Release this evening, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said Mercedez was reported missing at approximately 4:00 PM on Saturday (6th June, 2026) by her grandfather, of Lorensotte North Trace, Rancho Quemado. According to the report, around 11:30 AM on the same date, the grandfather placed his granddaughter, who had spent the previous night at his residence, into a vehicle, intended to transport the child to her home at Los Iros Beach Road, Erin. However, information later received indicated that Mercedez never arrived at her destination. The girl’s mother subsequently went to the Erin Police Station along with the child’s grandfather, and a missing person investigation was immediately ...
Read more

T&TEC: NO Electricity On Friday In Parts of Valencia And Sangre Grande

By —
Image
The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) is advising customers that planned maintenance work will affect several areas of Valencia and Sangre Grande on Friday (5th June, 2026). This may result in loss of electricity between the hours of works — 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.   According to T&TEC, the affected areas in Valencia and Sangre Grande are as follows:  VALENCIA From LP #2 Smithfield Land heading North. SANGRE GRANDE Vega de Oropouche. T&TEC says it regrets the inconvenience which may be caused by these interruptions.
Read more

Missing: 16-Year-Old Venezuelan Girl From Arima — Last Seen On Friday

By —
Image
Pictured Above: Jonelys Gabriela Estaba Gómez, 16. The Hunters Search and Rescue Team (HSRT) is seeking the public’s assistance to find a missing 16-year-old Venezuelan girl. In a social media post today (Sunday 7th June, 2026), the HSRT said Jonelys Gabriela Estaba Gómez of Arima was last seen on Friday (5th June, 2026). Her relatives are in contact with the team.  Have you seen her?  Anyone with information on the teen’s whereabouts can contact the HSRT at 799-1453, or 999, 555, 911, 800-TIPS (800-8477), or contact any Police Station.  Please share quickly. Let us get Jonelys home today.
Read more