Man shot dead after snatching woman’s bag

An unidentified man was yesterday shot and killed by police at Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara moments after he snatched a woman’s bag containing $90,000.

The man was pronounced dead at the East Bank Regional Hospital at Diamond, where police rushed him. Sources at the hospital indicated to this newspaper that the man arrived gasping for breath and subsequently died there.

According to reports, 25-year-old Florie Emanuel, of Diamond, EBD, boarded a Route 42 bus around 10:00 hrs and was heard talking about the sum of money she had in her possession. Police, in a release, explained that a passenger requested to disembark and as he was paying the driver, he grabbed Emanuel’s bag and proceeded up the roadway on foot.

Inquiries revealed that a truck driver, upon realising what had happened, flung open the door of his vehicle suddenly, bringing the thief to a halt. Police on patrol in close vicinity were notified and two rounds were discharged, resulting in the thief’s death.

Police indicated that the stolen bag with $90,000, a cell phone and clothing was recovered.

The body is being kept at the Lyken’s Funeral Home while investigations are ongoing.