The Guyana Police Force (GPF) says it is continuing investigations into the allegation that a special constable had stolen a vehicle from the Customs and Trade Administration compound but it refutes claims that the suspect is part of a crime ring.

In a press release the GPF said contrary to the article titled ‘Cop heads crime ring with stolen GRA car’ published in the Kaieteur News no firearms or housebreaking implements were found in the vehicle and there is no information to suggest that the special constable was part of a crime ring.

The police said on Saturday at 11.30 pm a female special constable on duty at Customs House reportedly saw a male member of the Special Constabulary who had been recently moved from duties at the said location, in front of the building. The female rank later saw motor vehicle PKK 7226, the property of the Guyana Revenue Authority which had been parked on the roadway, being driven off. She made a report and police launched a search for the vehicle.

Police said the vehicle was subsequently found near Middle and Waterloo streets. A man who had been in the vehicle was arrested and subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the male special constable who was at a nearby night spot.

The police said the constable had been relocated from Customs House due to suspicions about his actions with the department’s vehicles when he was on night duty.

The keys to the vehicles are usually kept in the guard hut and according to police it appears that the rank had cut a key for the vehicle and had been using it at nights. Police said both suspects remain in custody while investigations continue.