Toy gun bandit nabbed after botched robbery

Jul 11, 2014 News

Police on the East Coast of Demerara have put a halt to the operations of a toy gun bandit when they captured him yesterday during a botched robbery at the Mon Repos Market.
The suspect was nabbed trying to flee after his intended victim put up a fierce resistance to protect the four million dollars he was carrying.
The incident occurred around 08:05 hours while Raajdeo Tahjpaul, 56, of Mahaica, ECD, was at the Mon Repos Market.
According to reports from the police, Tahjpaul was attacked by a man armed with a firearm, who made efforts to take away a bag with $4M that Tahjpaul had in his possession.
The police said that Tahjpaul put up a resistance and a struggle ensued over the bag which burst and the money fell out on the roadway. Ranks of a mobile police patrol were in the area at the time and they responded.
“The perpetrator attempted to escape, but was pursued and caught by the police. An air pistol with pellets was found in his possession. All the monies were recovered by the police.
The suspect, who is in police custody, is also wanted by the police in connection with two other armed robberies on the East Coast of Demerara,” the police said in a statement.
Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, Tahjpaul said that he is thankful that he was not hurt during the incident. He explained that he had stopped at the Mon Repos market to drop off some greens and while returning to his truck, the bandit pounced on him.
“He vice (choke) me and put a gun to me neck and tell me ‘pass de bag wha yuh gat’,” Tahjpaul said.
He stated that he gave the robber the bag, but as the man turned to make good his escape, he (Tahjpaul) grabbed him, causing the bag with the money to burst.
A portion of the cash fell to the ground and Tahjpaul bent down to pick it up.
“When I go to pick it up, he tell me he gon shoot me. I tell he if he want shoot, shoot,” the businessman told this newspaper. At the time he had no idea that the gun the man was carrying was in fact a toy, and he bravely picked up his cash.
His bravery must have “rubbed off” on persons around, who immediately began converging on the bandit as he was preparing to flee the scene.
Sensing that he was quickly being surrounded, the bandit dropped the bag with the remaining cash and attempted to bolt to safety.
“After he find heself cornered, he drop de money and run. But a police vehicle was parked nearby. They (police) were just gaffin and when he see them he just throw up he hands and surrender,” Tahjpaul said.
According to the businessman, the bandit in his haste to escape dropped his cellular phone which was later retrieved by the police.
“Like he had a partner nearby who he was to go and reach, because somebody keep calling de phone but when dey hear de police answer it, dem hang up,” Tahjpaul said.
Judging from description given, police believe that the suspect was responsible for a recent spate of robberies in the Mon Repos area.

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Toy gun bandit nabbed after botched robbery

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