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Owners question security response, lack of diligence in $90M heist
The proprietors of L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons jewellery establishment in Stabroek Market, who had their vault torched and millions in gold and diamond pieces stolen, have issued a statement that lends to speculation of complicity in the multimillion-dollar heist.
The vault that secured the more than $90 million in gold and diamond jewellery that was stolen.
In the statement it was explained that, ”We have consulted with several Security Specialists and others trained in ironwork and welding, and we have been informed that it would have taken no less than five (5) hours for the vaults to be cut open.
We have spoken directly to two city Constables who claimed that checks were done earlier in the market but nothing was discovered. As stall owners operating under market rules, we have no choice but to depend on the City Constabulary for security whenever the market is closed. At the time of writing this, we have not been contacted by anyone from the Mayor and City Council’s Office or the Town Clerk’s Office. We are surprised at the lack of care and diligence by the City Constabulary in not observing that such an elaborate crime was being perpetuated over so many hours.
Additionally, the stall was secured with an alarm system that was being monitored by the MMC Security Force. We contacted the MMC Security Force late this (Tuesday) afternoon and we were informed that the alarm was indeed set off three times last night. However MMC never informed us or the police that the alarms went off. On every other occasion, whenever the alarm is set off, MMC would call us immediately and the fact that we never received any calls or reports from them is puzzling.”
A number of persons have since given police statements, including staff members
Investigators interview the proprietors of the establishment.
L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons, and Constables attached to the City Police who were supposed to be on duty at the time of the heist.
The stall that has been located in the Stabroek Market for over six decades was said to have been secured on the last day of business of the market, last week. The owners further checked on Sunday and found the stall still secured.
This was not the case on Tuesday morning at 07:00 hrs when someone from a neighbouring stall turned up to find a vault housed in the jewellery stall torched, and the door ajar. The padlocks for the grill that secured the stall at the front were cut and a grill wrenched open. A bag and a jersey were at the scene. There was also the equipment used to torch the vault, including gas bottles and a torch.
When this publication visited the scene, investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department and City Police were in the process of examining the entry points and dusting the scene for fingerprints. Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams, was also at the location.
The vault is a walk-in one that stands six feet tall. Before that vault could be gotten into, there is a quarter-inch steel-plated door that is secured by multiple locks.
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