Lethem robbery ends in shooting, car crash; man arrested

Mar 16, 2026 News

(Kaieteur News) – A robbery in Lethem, Central Rupununi on Saturday night turned chaotic after a chase for the suspect ended with a man being shot and two others injured in a collision.

Police said the robbery was committed on Vanessa Morris Alves, 42, a businesswoman of Lot 116 Kanuku Drive, Lethem. The suspect has been identified as Raymond Glasgow, 52, a labourer of Pork Bridge, Lethem and Lot 594 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Reports are that at about 22:15 hrs, Alves had just closed her store and was walking towards her home some 40 feet away while carrying a side bag containing the day’s sales and other valuables.

At the time, a man approached from the northern direction and pointed what appeared to be a small black handgun at her, demanding the bag.

Fearing for her life, Alves handed over the bag which contained $1,000,000 in cash, US$800 (valued at $160,000), 600 Brazilian reals (valued at $25,800) and an iPhone 16 Pro Max valued at $260,000, totalling $1,185,800.

The suspect then fled the area.

Alves raised an alarm, prompting two of her employees -Dymer Jesus Padron, a 31-year-old Venezuelan national of Bonfim, Brazil, and Alfredo Jose Rodriguez Rengel, along with Stephon Mendoza, 18, of Tabatinga, Lethem, to give chase after the suspect.

During the pursuit along the Kanuku Drive Access Road, Alves’ son Samuel Alves, 23, reportedly approached from behind in a silver motor car and accidentally struck the men who were chasing the suspect.

During the incident, a single round was discharged, striking Padron to his upper right thigh, causing him to receive a gunshot wound.

Padron, Rengel and Mendoza were rushed to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where Padron was later referred to Boa Vista, Brazil for further medical treatment. Rengel and Mendoza were treated for bruises about their bodies and admitted in stable condition for observation.

Police who visited the scene later recovered one 9mm spent shell along with a piece of a broken registration plate.

Investigators also observed CCTV cameras attached to the victim’s grocery store, and efforts are being made to retrieve the footage.

According to the victim, the suspect had been inside her store minutes before closing, wearing a red jersey and blue long pants, asking for assistance to charge his cellphone.

The suspect was later arrested, and his home was searched, but none of the stolen items were recovered.

Both the suspect and Samuel Alves have been taken into custody as investigations continue.

Police are also arranging an identification parade for the victim to positively identify the suspect.

Investigations are ongoing.

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Lethem, robbery, shooting, Vanessa Morris Alves

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