He's the head of the Patrol Branch and a name given respect, however grudging, amongst criminals, but ASP Edward Broaster got no respect at all on Sunday night when he came under heavy, hostile and sustained fire from a pair of marauding criminals on a wild joyride through the residential communities of Belama and Buttonwood Bay. Today we found out about Broaster's near brush with death.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
On Sunday night, ASP Edward Broaster was in this patrol car on Chetumal Street, when he saw this Toyota Corolla barrel through the intersection of Albert Hoy Drive.
ASP Edward Broaster,
"I observed a red car that was traveling westbound on Albert Hoy Street, ran a stop sign, and almost collided into another vehicle. So I decided to follow the vehicle to stop them just to find out what's the problem."
But whatever their "problem" was, the didn't want to share it with ASP Broaster. They sped off and Broaster pursued them unto the Northern Highway and into the Buttonwood Bay Community, where they swung unto Seashore Drive. That's when Broaster, lights flashing and sirens blaring got something he didn't expect.
ASP Edward Broaster,
"When we got on Seashore Drive I observed a male person in the back of the red car pointing an object toward my police vehicle and then a shot was fired and then I swerved to the left and the bullet came through the windshield, went through the dash board and ended up in the...a portion of the left passenger seat."
The shot missed his head by only a few inches, but he kept following them, and continued to take fire.
ASP Edward Broaster,
"It got into the populated area of Buttonwood Bay where they fired some more shots and another shot hit my windshield for my car, this guy was the passenger of the red car, he opened the car door and he fired the shots."
The chase continued unto Princess Margaret Drive, St. Thomas Street and Freetown Road, cutting through many smaller streets where the two men shook off.
ASP Edward Broaster,
"The vehicle got on Freetown Road where we lost them and we eventually got information that one of the guys jumped out of the red car, with a shotgun, near Cleghorn Street and Mapp Street. So we went in that area and we searched in that area for the individual but we were unable to find him but we were informed by a security guard from Bowen and Bowen that the guy jumped both fences, including the one near the river, and he jumped into the river. We continued to search the city for the vehicle and we eventually found it on New Road where it was parked and abandoned."
That was the end of that perilous pursuit but Broaster said, he'd do it again.
ASP Edward Broaster,
"This was the first time I've ever been in a situation where shots were fired at me at that close range and as well the audacity of them firing the shots through their back glass from the car that they were in, into the police vehicle. They posed significant threat to our community and as a policeman being fired at, it is my job to ensure that that vehicle is captured and that is what we are paid to do."
Police have recovered a shotgun which the escaping gunman left at the riverside. The car had been rented out by Steve Robateau. Police have questioned him and two men have been detained in Ladyville, one of them has the key for the car. No charges have been filed at this time. Though much the worse for wear, Broaster's car is still on active patrol.
