Gunmen yesterday pounced on a GEB security van, grabbing a $17M GuySuCo payroll on the West Bank Demerara highway and one of them was later killed in a shoot-out with the police while the rest escaped with the booty.
The bridge where the robbery occurred.
A huge security operation unfolded immediately after the robbery but other members of the armed gang, said to have numbered around eight or nine, vanished. Two guns were retrieved from the scene of the shoot-out and a getaway boat found.
The dead robber has been identified as Eric Williams of Fyrish, Corentyne. Police have also detained several other persons including the driver of a GuySuCo van as suspicious activities immediately prior to the robbery have come to light.
The clockwork-like heist, which occurred on a narrow bridge linking the West Bank Demerara communities of Stanleytown and Belle Vue, the splitting up of the gang and the presence of the getaway boat have highlighted the meticulous planning that went into the robbery.
Police at the scene yesterday.
Police, in a statement said that the incident occurred at 11:05 am yesterday. Police said that investigations revealed that the driver and three armed members of GEB Security were escorting a locked canister containing the money to the Wales sugar estate when, in the vicinity of the bridge at Stanleytown, their path was blocked by a silver grey car that was across the road. As the vehicle stopped, nine men surrounded their vehicle and held them at gunpoint.
The bandits took away the canister along with two shotguns, a .38 revolver and ammunition from the security guards and escaped using the GEB security vehicle and the car.
Stabroek News was told that shortly after 11 am yesterday, the GEB van, with four security officers, was delivering the weekly payroll to the GuySuCo Wales Office. There is a narrow bridge that connects Stanleytown and Belle Vue and it was there that the attack occurred.
The GEB van, which was hijacked by the bandits, being dusted for fingerprints at the scene at Nismes.
Reports reaching this newspaper are that a van, belonging to GuySuCo had shortly before pulled up in front of the GEB van with its hazard lights flashing and slowed down and stopped close to the bridge. Due to the narrowness of the roadway at that point, the GEB van was forced to stop. Police sources said that a car was in front of the GuySuCo van and the bandits emerged from the car and pounced on the GEB van. Other bandits, apparently hiding behind the bridge also emerged and aided their accomplices in subduing the guards. Police said that four of the gang members were armed with guns.
The security officers were held at gunpoint and one was gun butted while the bandits threatened to shoot them. They were forced to lie on the ground while the canister was retrieved. At least two of the bandits took control of the GEB vehicle while the others escaped in the car. The bandits in the GEB vehicle turned it around and drove north to Nismes, about a mile away, where they entered a side-road that leads to the river and runs alongside the river wall. There they attempted to escape in a boat but it reportedly capsized.
Water being bailed out of the bandits’ getaway boat (left).
When Stabroek News arrived on the scene at Nismes, some police had already entered the thick bushes surrounding the riverside area. It was stated that they had earlier checked that very area but saw nothing. Army ranks arrived at the same time as this newspaper and proceeded to join them. Minutes later at 1:08 pm, sporadic bursts of gunfire were heard. For over an hour the ranks combed the area. The highway in the vicinity of the operation was closed off and many persons converged at both ends of the road-blocks. Following the gunfire, it was stated that one of the bandits had been shot.
Earlier a road-block was established at the Demerara Harbour Bridge and vehicles heading to the eastern side were searched. At 2:16 pm the army helicopter arrived and flew over the area several times.
The body of Williams was brought out and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. Police dusted the GEB vehicle for fingerprints and one officer carried two guns that were said to have been recovered from the bandit. The getaway boat, which was powered by an engine, was recovered. Police in their statement said that an unlicensed .32 pistol with twelve matching rounds was also recovered.
Around 2:25 pm the body of Williams was taken to the West Demerara Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. It took several policemen to lift the heavily-built man from the back of the police pick-up onto a stretcher. He was wheeled to the emergency room where confusion erupted as persons rushed to get a glimpse of the body. The man bore gunshot wounds to the left side of his head, across his chest and legs. He was minutes later identified by ranks as a wanted man and known in Berbice.
The Joint Services ranks continued their search and at 2:35 pm the road-block was lifted and traffic was allowed to move. Meantime, there was tension when police stopped some cars. The driver of one car, which was heading south and transporting passengers, was taken into custody. Last night police said that a car which was parked on the public road at Nismes and suspected to have been used during the robbery was detained and three men have been arrested as investigations continue. Two of the guards were also in police custody up to last evening.
The Guysuco vehicle at the Wales Police Station yesterday.
Up to late yesterday, the police were still searching for the other members of the gang. A similar attack had occurred on October 24 when heavily armed gunmen attacked a Lethem-bound minibus, shooting the driver and robbing the passengers of valuables. The bandits had numbered around eight and were in two cars. Following the robbery, they had escaped.
GEB
A source close to GEB said that the company is contracted by GuySuCo to escort their payrolls and yesterday such an operation was ongoing when the hijacking occurred.
This newspaper was told that during such escorts there is a company vehicle transporting security guards and the cash as well as a GuySuCo vehicle.
Yesterday, four GEB employees were transporting the payroll, when the GuySuCo vehicle speed past theirs with the hazard lights on, the source said pointing out that normally during the escort, the GuySuCo vehicle is in front.
As the vehicle, approached the koker on the Stanleytown public road, West Bank Demerara, the GuySuCo vehicle slowed down and eventually stopped, the source said. The GEB vehicle was also forced to stop and five men armed with shotguns suddenly appeared, this newspaper was told.
According to the source, it is unclear where the men came from but they rushed up to the vehicle and ordered the occupants out at gunpoint.
Once the hijacking had occurred, the source stated, the guards immediately called their base and contact was subsequently made with police ranks at the Wales Police Station and Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.
Those involved in the operation came in for high praise from the source.
Brushes with the law
Police sources told Stabroek News that Williams, who was shot dead at Nismes, has had many brushes with the law over the years. He was convicted of rape and robbery and spent five years in jail. Williams was recently released on bail after being charged with the armed robbery of a cambio dealer at Rose Hall earlier this year.
He is also the subject of pending police investigations.
When Stabroek News visited the man’s Lot 22 Fyrish, Corentyne home his relatives were unaware of this death and as the news spread, pandemonium broke out.
His sister who was the first to learn of the death was inconsolable and contacted other relatives living in the village.
Relatives did not provide this newspaper with much information but from all indications they had warned the unemployed man repeatedly to change his ways but to no avail.
Relatives had told this newspaper that Williams spent most of his time with a brother in Georgetown. (Additional reporting by Zoisa Fraser, Adrian Smith and Melissa Charles)
It doesn’t matter what they do or say…..crimes will always happen in Guyana and around the world….times too hard here!!!!
The only thing the authorites can do is put measures in place to reduce these crimes but they cannot STOP it………not here not in America, not in China, not in Canada and definitely not in the United Kingdom!!!
But crime rate per capita is lower in US, Canada and UK than in Guyana. Men will never become angels, but a good standard of living and enforcement of the law will minimize the unangelic tendencies.
Wa hard time yuh talking bout. He from Fyrish, he cud a get a cast net and catch fish for a living if no one employ him. Dey got many in de country making an honest living that way.
GUYSUCO/BOOKER TATE Management need reviewing
In this day and age GUYSUCO (managed by Booker Tate) is still paying money weekly and in cash. Think of all the costs involved in this – collecting, counting, packaging and security etc.
These same sugar workers are able to use credit cards when they land in the US even though they cannot read and write.
Booket Tate should go…. they are under performing. Additionally there is the chairman of Guysuco who was fired from GPL Board, he has too much on his plate – managing his own company and all.
It is simple – open bank accounts for all workers. Get the banks to cooperate and allow customer from one bank to withdraw from another either through ATM or at the counter.
SANDHURST, it’s time they were taught how to do simple everyday things, it’s for their own safety.
Have you ever thought about this irony? the same ppl. who CLAIM they cant do this and that, place them in North America, man they do EVERYTHING perfectly. You know why?
Because the system demands it. Even pension, social assistance, baby bonus, income tax retunn, you name.
It’s a requirement bro. It’s time they get with the program,
Sandhurst In China the crime rate, is much lower than Guyana’s. Because when you are found guilty ,of committing such a crime. You are put to death the same day. But you are right when you said, LESS JOBS MORE CRIME.
For 17 million – there seems to be a linkage from within – bank/local security.
When would these companies learn from other similar incidents – to have checques made out to its employees?
This one might be a bit far fetched but – what about the debit/checque cards? The island of St. Lucia is about 24 miles (length) X12 miles (width) – there is the debit cards system for workers.
Unless GUYSUCO is highly insured.
what about those sugar cane workers who dont have an id card or bank account???
Shooting and killing one of the bandits would not solve this problem. There is a need for marksmen/women in the force that if shooting is necessary it must be done to ‘disable’ them so that other can be caught/known.
i agree with you guy, but when police comes under fire they will react with deadly force.
YOU dam if you do , and yu dam if yu dont,
Give the police a break, If they shoot , you got to shoot back.The police cant aim for yu knee. He’s under fire . It’s you or me.
Congratulations to the Police, job well done.
Sorry you did’nt get 2 of them.
THERE IS SOMETHING KNOWN AS DEADLY FORCE>
When will this Stop this government need to go everyday is something dramatic Guyanese need to stand up . If they cannot protect us then leave I wonder now who are the going to blame….Fineman??????
One people…stop talking trash..the govt. knew that a robbery will take place there..why jump to govt. and not guysuco..They have one routine thing in place every week of every month and that alone will cause them to be highjacked and robbed. They need to be more vigilant and observant..these things do not tell you when it is coming..you may be safe 4 or five times and then down your guards and that is the opportunity that crininals are looking for.You need to protect yourself and do not look for govt. to protect you, next you may want the govt. to bring food home for you….
Dont you dare pin this one on the government!!!
Well said one people…
ONE PEOPLE…………..YOU ALWAYS PUT BLAME ON THE GOVT…….I VISIT GUYANA MORE OFTEN THAN YOU..I KNOW THE SITUATION THERE………LOOKS LIKE IF I TOLD YOU TO WALK THROUGH JAMES STREET IN ALBOUYSTOWN AND YOU GET ROB, YOU WILL BLAME THE GOVT…….COME OFF THE GOVT BACK AND PREACH TO THE PEOPLE TO BE MORE VIGILANT……….
We still have this archaic way of transporting liquid cash as payroll when we have the banks. This will continue to happen because we fail to learn from history and current affairs. Yes, people are always skeptical of change so there might be protests but change we must. I have this gut feeling that people inside are involved because there is no way these bandits can get that all figured out to the T or maybe they just took note of the patern.
It is such a pitty that they were not all cought and the money retrieved. This country needs to have tracting devices on those who are on bail for crimes of simular nature. As far as I am concerned, they should not be out on bail in the first place. Their movement must be curtailed, henced preventing them prom regouping with their clandestine buddies and commit these surreptitious acts.
We have this idea that criminals are people with minimum brain power, they are not capable ot properly plotting a stealth mission. The police have been proven wrong time and time again so the guys are always a few steps ahead of them. These are smart people and they are capable of gathering information from other greedy insiders to make their missions successful.
I hope that the boat and finger prints gathered will lead to the capture of the others.
Stabroek News should of shown the photo of the criminal killed, for the outside world to see, they should all be hunted down and eliminated.
Has similarties
When Desmond Hoyte was PRESIDENT, the crime rate was significantly low. Bring back the DEATH PENALTY. Hang them high.
Why is it you guys always wanted the bandits to be totally killed, no courts no nothing, that wont happens because guyana is a part of the civilized world,and rules and laws has to be followed.
most of these robberies are inside jobs, these persons must be persecuted with longer jail time.
its time the security forces be on the alert at all times when company’s payroll are on the road, a collaborated effort by both parties.
its time each employees open an account and have a direct deposit, times have change so the method of payments,
Has similarties of an inside job, that gang is so easy to be captured, if the money were new denominations issued by the bank it can be traced.
I said times getting hard and this will never stop!!
Inside job or not……people gotta get pay.
This sounds like an inside job, why do they still conduct business with all that paper money, it’s time to go with paper checks, or direct deposit, as long as business people continue in this way there will always be robberies. As been told there were more than on gang in guyana, rawlins is gone and we’re still having these brazen gangs still committing crimes at will, it’s good that one was killed, but there’s still eight who have escaped with the loot, i hope they are caught, kudos to the joint forces for their quick action.
the govt should mandate a law for all employers to pay their staff through the banks [direct deposit] or with cheques.