Driver claims he was kidnapped

Apr 03, 2011 News

– police recover Ruger 40 automatic pistol, 9mm and cash

Police believe that they have wounded one of the perpetrators of last Friday nights attack on a D’Urban Street businessman, during a shootout at Cummings Lodge on the Lower East Coast of Demerara.
A police source told this newspaper yesterday that based on what appeared to be bloodstains near the scene of the exchange of gunfire, one of the fleeing gunmen may be wounded.
A press release from police headquarters, Eve Leary, stated that police recovered two firearms along with ammunition and spent shells that were left behind by the bandits. The men had earlier robbed 58-year old businessman, Godfrey Scipio, called “Saga”, after beating him about his head and body with their guns causing him to be hospitalised.
According to the police, Scipio had just parked his motor vehicle in front of his residence when four armed men drove up alongside in a white Toyota Raum motor car PMM 6292.
One of the men discharged a round in Scipio’s direction after which they took away his personal jewellery and an undisclosed sum of cash and escaped in their vehicle. That was around 21:30 hours.
Police anti-crime patrols were alerted about the incident via the radio network and ranks of one of the patrols subsequently intercepted the getaway vehicle on the Cummings Lodge Public Road, East Coast Demerara.
“The police got a call that the men were heading in the Sophia area and they came in from UG road,” a police source told this newspaper.
The police statement said that on seeing the ranks, the men opened fire on the police who were in pursuit and one of the bullets passed through the front windscreen of the police patrol vehicle and lodged in the back seat.
“After the police returned fire, the men jumped out and ran in the direction of the UG bus park. We suspect we hit one of them,” the source said.
This newspaper understands that the fleeing bandits were seen removing their clothes before crossing the canal aback of the University of Guyana into Sophia.
But while, three of the bandits managed to escape, the driver of their getaway car was left behind and was subsequently arrested by the police who also detained the vehicle.
The police carried out a search of the vehicle and found a 9mm. pistol with 15 matching rounds, a Ruger 40 automatic pistol and 40 spent shells, and a sum of cash.
“The driver is claiming that he was kidnapped. We don’t buy his story,” a senior police official told this newspaper.
Further investigations by ranks from another anti crime patrol unit led to the recovery a magazine with four 9mm. rounds along the Cummings Lodge Access Road a few hours later. Investigations are continuing.
Friday night’s incident comes just two days after quick response by the police led to the capture of several persons who were involved in a multi millions dollar robbery committed on the Guyana Stockfeeds Limited on the East Bank of Demerara.
It once again underscores the success that can be had with quick police response to reports of criminal activities, a senior police official said.

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