We have not dropped our guard – Snr. police officer

Sep 25, 2008 News

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– as armed robberies resurface after brief quiet

By Dale Andrews

Following a lull since the demise of Rondell Rawlins and Jermaine Charles and the heightened police presence during the recently held Carifesta, armed bandits appear to have resumed their activities, striking in several parts of the country within the past five days.

But a senior police official has assured that the security forces have not dropped their guards and will continue to ensure the safety of the nation.

Between Saturday and Tuesday of this week, armed bandits carried out no less than seven robberies, targeting areas such as Timehri, West Bank and East Coast Demerara, and in the city. In all the attacks except one, the bandits were armed with handguns.

Beginning on Sunday, two bandits armed with guns robbed a 29-year-old clerk of her personal cash in a broad daylight attack on the La Bonne Intention Estate Road, East Coast Demerara.

Reports stated that Cardella Agard of Ujama Housing Scheme was heading home with her children after disembarking from a minibus when one of the suspects started to pelt her with bricks.

The other bandit then stood in front of Agard with a black handled gun and demanded the cash from her.
The terrified woman complied with the request and handed over $8000 to the men who made good their escape.

During the attack, Agard sustained injuries to her neck and was reportedly treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

No arrest has been made so far. And later on Sunday, two bandits armed with knives attacked two American citizens who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at around 20:00 hours at Bella Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara.

According to reports, the two Americans, Spencer McDonald and Kenny Richards, who are both residing at Cedar Court, Lamaha Gardens, were walking along Bella Dam when they were approached by the suspects.

One of the suspects placed a knife to McDonald’s abdomen and relieved him of a cellular phone and his American passport before making good their escape. The matter was reported to the police but no arrest has been made so far.

This is the second attack on an American citizen by bandits in less than a week following last Sunday’s attack on 25-year-old volunteer, Josh Vickell, whom three men beat unconscious and relieved of his valuables on Main Street.

And early Monday morning at Linden, four masked men stormed the Red Bud Chinese restaurant, relieving manager Lim-Jang-Zhon of $70,000, a laptop computer, and three cellular phones.

Kaieteur News understands that Lim had retired to bed and at about 02:00 hours on Monday he was awakened by the suspects who held their guns above his head after gaining entry through a southern window.

They relieved Lim of the articles and made good their escape through a western window. It is not yet clear if any arrests were made.

Also on Monday, at around 11:00 hours, five bandits armed with handguns and cutlasses robbed 33-year old Ryan Paul at Third Field, Caneville, East Bank Demerara.

According to the police, Paul, who lives at First Street, Mocha, was standing at the corner of Third Street, Caneville when one of the men walked up to him and dealt him several lashes with a cutlass.

The other men, who had drawn guns, relieved the victim of $25,000 and other articles before they all made good their escape.

Paul was forced to seek medical attention at the Diamond Diagnostic Center for injuries he sustained during the attack.

Earlier on Monday at around 04:15 hours, a man armed with a gun, relieved a 16-year-old girl of two pairs of gold earrings and her cellular phone at her Middle Road, La Penitence home.

Information received by this newspaper stated that the teenager and her mother had retired to bed but were aroused by the suspect who touched the teen’s private parts.

When the teen opened her eyes she stared down the barrel of the weapon and the suspect demanded that she hand over the articles. He then fled the scene. No arrest has been made so far.

And Robert Howes, of West Ruimveldt, was robbed of his gold band and chain along with other articles by two gunmen near the Guyana National Shipping Corporation at around 11:00 hours, also on Monday.

This newspaper was told that Howes was closing the gates of his work place when two suspects approached him with their guns drawn. Howes was relieved of the articles and the bandits calmly walked away. Again no arrest was made.

And in a completely opposite scenario, a bandit armed with a gun lost his $500 after he was forced to flee empty handed when his victim managed to raise an alarm during an attempted robbery.

Reports stated that Shelieza Bostwick was operating her game shop situated at Albert Street, Alberttown, when the man entered and paid her to use one of the games.

But as Bostwick put on the game, the suspect closed the door of the establishment and whipped out a gun which he pointed at the proprietor and told her not to move.

He was unaware that the place was fitted with an alarm system and when it was activated, the startled bandit hurriedly bolted from the shop leaving his own cash behind. He has not yet been arrested.

And on Tuesday a gang of six armed men invaded the compound of Fine Wood Marketing Sawmill at Coverden, East Bank Demerara, tied up the two security guards, then made off with cash and other articles.

Reports stated that at about 01:30 hours the guards, 54-year-old Pretipaul Persaud and Fredrick Andrews, 49, were making checks around the compound when they were confronted by the men who were all armed with handguns. The articles were handed over to the men who made good their escape.

When contacted, police Public Relations Officer, Ivelaw Whittaker told this newspaper that it is not a case of the police becoming complacent after their recent success in the slaying of Rawlins and Charles and the safety provided through the Carifesta event.

Whittaker said that the police are still maintaining their formation with regular patrols throughout the country.

“We have removed ranks from offices to ensure that we have enough policemen and women to deal with any situation,” he said.

According to Whittaker, there appears to be some opportunistic crimes which may not be easy to prevent and he appealed to the public to remain alert.

“We are fast approaching the Christmas season and we are already moving towards increasing the security throughout the country. The police, supported by the army, will continue to ensure public safety,” Whittaker told this newspaper.

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