A DARING early-morning robbery at the home of radio personality Ken Simmonds ended abruptly for two bandits yesterday after they were both shot and wounded by police.

Up to late yesterday evening, the two men, who were said to be from Tobago and Arima, were warded under police guard at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope.

Simmonds told the Express during a telephone interview he was still traumatised over the incident, but was also thankful to the police for their quick response, which resulted in the bandits being taken into custody.

He said shortly after 1 a.m. he arrived at his Nettoville, Arima home and was about to retrieve some garbage for disposal when he was greeted by a gun-wielding bandit at the front door.

Simmonds said another bandit soon approached before they both tied him up and placed him in one of the bedrooms, before noisily ransacking the house.

Neighbours who heard the commotion contacted a senior police officer attached to the Northern Division, who in turn alerted officers of the Arima Criminal Investigations Department (CID) who were on patrol in the area, said Simmonds.

"The police responded in a matter of minutes," he said.

When they arrived on the scene, Simmonds said the officers saw the gun-wielding bandit reversing the family's car loaded with electronic items, cash and jewelry out of the garage.

However, upon spotting the officers, he pointed his gun at them and attempted to escape by running into the house but was shot in the ankle.

Upon entering the house, Simmonds said the officers came upon the second bandit, who held a cutlass to the neck of his wife and vowed to kill her if they came any closer.

"When his (the bandit) guard was down, one of the officers saw the opportunity and shot him to the chest," said Simmonds.

Both men were taken to the Arima District Hospital, where they were treated and later transferred to the EWMSC. The firearm and cutlass were also recovered by the officers.

Simmonds said he wanted to publicly thank the officers for their quick response and the professionalism which they used in carrying out their duties.

Arima CID officers are continuing enquiries into the incident.