Killing of salesman…Suspects nabbed with gun in city hotel

Apr 26, 2014 News

– unlicensed .38 revolver found

Police believe that they have captured the bandits who escaped with a bag of cash last Thursday after killing Patsan Trading Services salesman, Bharrat Ramcharan, outside his John Smith Street, Campbellville workplace.

Bharrat Ramcharan

In a statement released yesterday, police said that they have detained two men in connection with the robbery/murder and have also recovered an unlicensed .38 revolver with four rounds.
Kaieteur News understands that the suspects were arrested yesterday in a city hotel. According to a source, one of the alleged bandits was still dressed in the clothing he had worn during Thursday’s robbery.
Reports are that the men were identified from images that were recorded on security cameras at Patsan Trading Enterprise.
The 57-year-old Ramcharan, of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, was reportedly shot in the back around 14.40 hrs after he threw a bag of money over the gate of his workplace to prevent the bandits from making off with the cash.
The slain man’s son, Raymond Ramcharan, said that his father was employed at Patsan Trading Services since around 1995.
Kaieteur News understands that he has been robbed at gunpoint on at least two other occasions. However, a source said that on those occasions, Ramcharan had handed the money over to the robbers.
Kaieteur News was told that Ramcharan, who had collected an undisclosed sum of money from customers, had just stepped out of his vehicle when two unmasked men on a CG motorcycle approached him. One of the men had a handgun.
A source said that on seeing the bandits, Ramcharan immediately threw the money-bag over the fence, then stood with hands upraised.
The gunmen reportedly ran into the compound and snatched up the money-bag. They then ran out of the compound and shot Ramcharan before speeding off on their motorcycle.
Kaieteur News understands that the shot salesman managed to stagger into the compound where he collapsed. He was rushed to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead.
A man who lives a few doors away from Patsan recalled hearing gunshots and later running to the scene.
He said that on reaching Patsan Trading, he saw a man lying in the yard. “I ask if is a bandit and they said is Bharrat,” the resident said. He said that he then saw employees placing the mortally wounded man into a vehicle.
Kaieteur News was told that management of Patsan Trading closed the business place at noon yesterday.
Police officials, including recently retired Commissioner Leroy Brumell, have repeatedly pleaded with businessmen to ensure that they have adequate security while transporting large sums of cash.
Police are also grappling with a steady rise in armed robberies. The Force’s Public Relations Department recorded a 65 percent rise in firearm robberies at the end of last February.