An off-duty police officer is being commended after he pursued and held a bandit moments after a robbery in Port of Spain.

Around 10am on Wednesday on Chacon Street, the suspect allegedly knocked down an elderly man who had just left a nearby bank.

The bandit grabbed an envelope containing $30,000 and attempted to flee south along Chacon Street, however Officer Dwayne Grimes observed the commotion and took action.

He chased and intercepted the suspect near the lighthouse and while there was a struggle, PC Grimes was able to subdue the man and retrieve the envelope.