-bullet narrowly misses guard

A bandit who fired a shot while robbing a security guard and a clerk of Geddes Grant, Strand in New Amsterdam around 5 pm yesterday and escaped with $1.3M was caught shortly after and the money and a .38 revolver with matching rounds were recovered.

The shaken security guard after the robbery.

Stabroek News understands that the guard and the clerk, Jacqueline Rambali were leaving the store to go to the Republic Bank (Guyana) branch located opposite, to make a deposit when the bandit rode up on a bicycle, fired a shot and demanded the money.

Reports are that the bullet punctured a water connection on the Geddes Grant building. The bandit then escaped on his bicycle along New Street. He then dropped the bicycle and gun and bolted on foot when he reached the junction of Main & New Street upon seeing a van belonging to GEB Security passing.

By then the police were hot on his heels and apprehended him along Lad Lane as he was about to board a taxi. However, upon seeing the police the driver thought it best to remain where he was and he and the bandit were apprehended at this stage. Police reports are that the bandit later related that the driver of the taxi was an accomplice and that he was waiting to pick him up.

Four other men have also been arrested and are in police custody assisting with the investigations, according to a police press release.

The guttering on the Geddes Grant building that was punctured after the bandit fired at the clerk and the security guard.

Meanwhile eyewitnesses commended the efforts of police who arrived promptly on the scene.
Captions:

1. The guttering on the Geddes Grant building that was punctured after the bandit fired at the clerk and the security guard.

2. The shaken security guard after the robbery.