Security guard warns of criminal gangs in the shadows

Feb 22, 2018 News

Security Guard, Venet Persaud, displays the phone he purchased yesterday after being robbed of one the day before.

“Beware of those with ill-intent lurking in the shadows!” This is the warning of Vinet Persaud, a resident of Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown. But Persaud was not referring to his home community; instead he was making reference to the streets of the capital city – Georgetown.
Persaud is a security guard, has been for a few years, and is very familiar with the goings-on within the city.
He confided yesterday that he has seen many persons robbed in such slick and effortless manner, it could almost be deemed professional.
The sordid activities are known to occur during the course of day but become even more pronounced after sunset.
He has become so familiar with the streets that he never imagined the day that he too would become a victim of the rogue elements plying their criminal trade from the dark corners.
It all went down around 21:00 hours, Monday, as he was on his way to work.
Persaud was walking in a northerly direction along Longden Street, Georgetown when he felt the “heavy presence” of someone walking too close behind. He swung to his right and saw a young man and immediately got the distinct feeling that someone else was around. Indeed, there were about two others too – one behind him and another, a short distance away.
“The place was darker than usual because there was this blackout [power outage]…It hardly had people around; usually that’s the case at that hour,” related Persaud.
One of the young men, he recalled, pushed something against his back which he suspected was a gun. Not comfortable with the ensuing situation, Persaud said that he attempted scan his surroundings. But this attempt was short-lived because as he did, “one vice [choke] me and actually lift me off the ground, then another one started pelting some punches behind my head and back…they started telling me don’t say nothing; don’t make no noise.”
Following the instructions, one of the young men, Persaud recalled, started rummaging through his pockets and relieved him of his Samsung Duos cellular phone. The deed was not done until the one choking Persaud decided to toss him into a corner. The three made good their escape by running away. Persaud in retaliation pursued his attackers for about a block as he repeatedly shouted “thief” to attract the attention of others. No one came to his aid but some persons did observe what went down.
According to Persaud, shortly after being attacked by the gang of three he was pursued by another and had to run away as fast as he feet could carry him.
Although he may not be able to pinpoint his attackers because of the dark of the night which was compounded by the power outage, Persaud is convinced that he has an idea of these “criminals” operations.
“They have certain areas where they would be in gangs…sometimes at the bus parks and at some of the new fast-food places downtown and they trail people around.”
Given the prevailing state of affairs, Persaud is convinced that a regular presence of police ranks is important in the downtown streets of Georgetown to ensure the safety of passersby.
“These young guys are just roaming the streets just to rob people. I want people to be aware because I lost my phone and people have lost more too…People need to be aware and the police also need to really do something around there.”
Persaud was able to make a report of the attack to a police patrol yesterday and was on his way yesterday to make another at the Brickdam Police Station. He took some time yesterday to purchase another phone and is hopeful that he will not be relieved of it too.

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