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Taxi driver beaten, robbed

A taxi driver escaped with his life yesterday after two men boarded his car pretending to be passengers, but robbed, gun-butted, stabbed, shot at him and took his car, which was later recovered.

Faran Asif Yassen

Faran Asif Yassen was treated at the Georgetown Hospital and several hours after the incident, barely able to walk, he was sent home.
The car the man was driving, a GR taxi, HA 9855, which is attached to the Sheriff Street base, was found about one hour after it was taken in a back street in Better Hope, East Coast Demerara.

At his Better Hope home yesterday, Yassen, with at least six stitched wounds to his head, several visible cuts and a bandaged hand told Stabroek News of his frightening and near death experience.

He said that around 4 am, a man stopped him in front of the Sheriff Night Club and asked what the fare to Bel Air was. He replied, “$400”, and the man jumped into the front seat of the car.

Yassen said when he stopped no one was with the man but seconds after he got into the vehicle another man jumped into the back seat.
The taxi driver, who has been in the business for some eight years, said the second man asked him for a cigarette and he obliged.
He said when he neared Bel Air on the Railway Embankment, the passenger in the front seat took out money to pay before directing him to a yard in Sand Road.
The man said that as soon as the car stopped the man in the front seat pulled out a revolver and pointed it at him. “He tell me don’t move, don’t mek noise or ah gon kill you,” Yassen said.

In a brave move, Yassen attempted to relieve the gunman of his weapon but his efforts were in vain as the second man exited the vehicle and put a “Rambo knife” to his neck.

Seconds later, the two men were kicking him and beating him in the head with a gun. They then collected $16,000, which he had in his pants’ pocket.
Bleeding from the wounds to the head, the taxi driver was placed in the back seat of the car and instructed not to move or he would be shot.

He said one of them then drove the car to Clay Brick Road, Goedverwagting, which is several villages further up the East Coast, and stopped just before crossing over a wooden bridge. There, Yassen said, he beaten mercilessly and instructed to remove his shirt, which was later used to wrap the gun.

One of the men proceeded to search the car trunk, while the other began stabbing Yassen about his body concentrating the attack on the back of his neck and shoulder. He told Stabroek News that despite his injuries and the pain he was in, he managed to put up a fight and made a mad dash for safety.

“I exited the back of the car and ran south along the Goedverwagting Road and they fire three shot behind me but they miss,” he said, adding that although there were houses nearby, no one looked out or went to his aid.

He said that with the man chasing after him he managed to reach an area referred to as ‘Pradoville’ where he encountered a female security guard, who instructed him not to enter the property she was guarding, although he was covered in blood and begging for help. However, she rang the Sparendaam Police Station, but was unsuccessful in contacting the police. At this point, the two men chasing him, turned around and went back to the car.
Yassen later contacted his base and his fellow drivers arrived and took him to the hospital.

While he was at the institution, Yassen said, a policeman went and spoke to him. After undergoing an x-ray, having his hand bandaged and several wounds on his head stitched, the man was discharged just after 11 am.

He said he had never been the victim of an armed robbery but had told himself that if ever he was in such a situation he would do everything in his power to gain control.

Over the years, several drivers have been relieved of their vehicles at gunpoint.
Just recently gunmen in a car blocked the path of a Canter truck belonging to Patsan’s Trading at Lusignan, Railway Embankment in a well planned attacked before driving off with the vehicle.

It was later found abandoned at Cummings Lodge; a metal canister containing $3 million was missing from it.

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25 Responses to “Taxi driver beaten, robbed”

Cheryl
on October 7th, 2008 6:24 am

I’m so sorry that this happened to u, very young to be out there alone, working for a living, from the inception, as soon as the second a thief entered your vehicle, common sense should have told u what was up, diffcult to get out of that situation. Taxi cabs needs to have the same protection in their vehicles, a camera and protector seperating driver from passangers, also some type of device to stall the vehicle. By the way, the Government, home affairs minister, GPF and the magistrates needs to be blamed for all these crimes that has no ending, these thiefs r given a slap on the hand, now that you cannot work for sometime with added pains and discomforts, are you going to contact Mr. Rohee and all the above concerning this matter,? it has to start somewhere by someone calling on the above big boys to bring about drastic measures so citizens can work and walk the streets without fear of these thiefs, let it start with you.

[Reply to this]
SandHurst First
on October 7th, 2008 6:37 am

These actions are getting out oif controll.The most difficult thing to understand is that it can all be avoided. Once you working with a service do not pick up people on the road…simple.

[Reply to this]
Arnold
on October 7th, 2008 8:06 am

Those—ILL— with the get rich quick syndrome needs to be confronted before it spirals up….More.

[Reply to this]
love_gt
on October 7th, 2008 9:08 am

i am so sorry but please stop thinking that you can gain control of a situation like this when you is the one being robb by these criminal that is why when the police kill them i have no sympathy cause these thivies don’t care if you got kids or a family person the just want what you work hard for and try to kill you when the finish i wish you a speedy recovery.

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John Smith
on October 7th, 2008 9:32 am

Where can we find safety, where cam we fin peace? People trying to work hard to support themselves and their families and in the blink of an eye, some lazy thief coming to take what you sweat for. It angers me to know that we are never safe in this country. Too many guns in the hands of sriminal minded people.

I am happy that Mr Yassin is safe but those two are still out there waiting to prey on the next taxi driver.

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evileyes
on October 7th, 2008 9:49 am

I remember some years ago in NY…A story similar to this taxi guy…taxi driver picked up a passenger…passenger was a bandit who put a gun to taxi driver head and demand all his money…taxi driver pull out a bigger gun…point om straight to bandit’s head…boy i tell ya…de bandit was sh..ting bricks…the taxi driver teck away de bandit money and shove he out de taxi…none of dem could have gone to the police…..ehehehehe …. i believe if this taxi driver had a weapon he would have defended himself….the headline would have read different today….this is sad…poor man working for a living….parasites lurking all over looking for easy victims….the get rich syndrome continues unabated….

[Reply to this]
Shea30
In reply to the above comment on October 7th, 2008 3:37 pm:
Hi Evileyes…your right, Guyana is not the only country susceptible to this type of horrific acts but what I would suggest is that taxi drivers in Guyana take along a companion with them during late evening hours, like they do here in the US.

[Reply to this]
Muggie Piggoo
on October 7th, 2008 10:00 am

Hang them by their guts when they are caught, those tree-hugging scum!!
Stone them alive!

[Reply to this]
The Voice
on October 7th, 2008 10:54 am

It is quite unfortunate that Faran had to encounter violence at the scale which he experienced. At the same time he could have never known what these men were up to when the entered his car. The point is, is that the whole business of taxi driving in Guyana is so dangerous to say the least that the alternative would be fruitless. As it relates to the men it is a pity he did not get the gun from the man in the front seat and repeat history as recorded in South Ruimveldt a few years back, for those of you who can remember.

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tiger
on October 7th, 2008 11:57 am

my heart goes out to you son, but next time i advise you to just give those losers what they want and dont try the hero thing, its not worth it you almost lost your life cause you tried to defend whats rIGHTFULL YOURS, and that sugestion about you going to see the home affairs minister (as one blogger sugested) is no use because nothing will be done by those in high office, all i can say is be careful next time and learn from your experience.

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sydney williams
on October 7th, 2008 1:43 pm

yea i think i agree with u let the inividual book the taxi but on the other hand they can book the taxi and still carry out a robery how are u going to win

[Reply to this]
Get Real
on October 7th, 2008 1:47 pm

I am very sorry to hear what happened to Mr. Yassen it could have been worst Thank God it was not. I cannot believe that the security guard told him not to come on the property that she is protecting, I think that was heartless of her and the other thing is she tried calling the police and was not successful, I guess the police were drinking and playing cards so they were too busy to answer the phones, those suckers are not fit to protect the citizens. I know someone that told me they had called the police back home for a problem and the police told them not to call us we are taking a drink and we do not have time to come now and another thing is that you have to send a taxi for the police. Jagdeo get a life and make some better and brighter changes in your wonderful country so that people would want to visit and live there also.

I have a brother who drives taxi home and by God I pray that he is protected everyday, I wish I could send him a gun so that he could have it for his protection and I mean that but it is not legal to do so, people are trying to make a living and those scum-bags are thinking about commiting crimes every minute. The government needs to take a strong hold on the criminals and the time that they serve in prison for these crimes committed. I wish Mr. Yassen a speedy recovery and get a bottle of acid and keep in your car for those LOW-LIVES S.O.B.
and if ever God Forbides that something like that should happen again throw that acid in their faces and beat the hell out of them.

[Reply to this]
eldorado
In reply to the above comment on October 9th, 2008 8:44 pm:
…..and if they grab the acid and use it back on the poor guy???

I remember in the 80’s when they did that to a jeweller’s son on the East Coast….. they held the young man’s face down in the acid…. I was little then and my insides still cringe at that memory…..

We need stiffer penalties…. laws with bite not just teeth…..

We need a police and police network we can count on….. with quick response time and well-equipped to counter what might be meted out to them….

AND we need RETRAINING PROGRAMS in prisons which will give these criminals a chance to go on the straight (if they want to) when they come out….

[Reply to this]
Arnold
on October 7th, 2008 2:36 pm

Out of context but please print;
Sr Evileyes:
—————Congratulations!! for being one of the more INTELLIGENT and talkative. ehehehehe.

[Reply to this]
Free One
on October 7th, 2008 2:43 pm

these beast continue to roam the streets freely, why can people work freely without be injury by the hands of these animals who just want free money,when these criminals are caught they need to life in jail.

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good guy
on October 7th, 2008 3:07 pm

I am sorry for you –taxi -driver , but I think it is time to arm yourself –the bandits can do it –so can you . As evileyes mentioned in his story —a bigger gun and a faster draw may save you and the day next time .

[Reply to this]
Farah
on October 7th, 2008 4:58 pm

to the two who did this to my brother——–woe be unto u, u will rot and die a miserable physical death. oh and the gates of hell awaits u. thank god for his protection on my family.

[Reply to this]
Ravi
on October 7th, 2008 5:01 pm

It is good to fight back but you have to know when you are over powered. Just give these thongs the money, your life is worth more than a few dollars.
They thugs don’t care about human life because their lives are worthless.

[Reply to this]
berryl
on October 7th, 2008 5:43 pm

i am sorry to hear about your dilema but at the point when another man boarded the taxi he should have made an excuse to get out of the agreement with the first man. these criminals will not stop until the are shot one by one for even the simplest crime they try to commit. registered taxi drivers should have guns with them when they are working especially at night . thank god he is alive to tell the story. hope he gets some kind of justice for this. this makes me sick

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Buxton Spice
on October 7th, 2008 6:34 pm

I say again - BRING BACK THE CAT-O-NINE!!!!!!! These thieves/thugs spend a lot of time planning and scheming how to carry out attacks on decent, hardworking countrymen and women. Having a companion while you work may not even be worthwhile unless one of you is armed. The courts need to make examples of these misfits! I wish you a speedy recovery in mind and body.

[Reply to this]
goodgirl
on October 7th, 2008 6:40 pm

that is so sad i wish that dones two men get what is coming to them

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batooba
on October 7th, 2008 7:47 pm

I think the time has come for those car dealers to start importing cars specifically for taxying purposes so as to mimimise the risk of robbery and carjacking. These cars are built with a divider seperating the driver from the passengers with access just to pay the fare. This would also give the driver control over the locking and opening of the doors for passengers to enter or exit. In the event of a robbery or attempt car jacking the driver can lock the bandits in the car and make an exit. This is a better mode of defence against these bandits than trying to fight with them.

[Reply to this]
SOESDYKE
on October 7th, 2008 8:12 pm

I know you work very hard for your money. But if this ever happened (I hope not) again just give it to them. Your life is worth more than any amount of money. I hope you get well soon.

[Reply to this]
Cheryl
on October 8th, 2008 7:54 am

Reading the plight of this citizen again and again, have me boiling with disgust, from the begining of this year, if a toll was made, the Government would see that it is not working for the citizens security, boarders wide open, guns all over, drugs rampant, rapes constant, homes being broken into, citizens being attacked in their homes, in their cars, on the streets, children being raped and killed, male and female kids being taken advantage of, the President was sworn into office not to sit on his behind, the Ministers sitting in their chairs behind a desk doing nothing, why,? because 4 one, it’s not their families, wives nor kids. Some of them can been seen on the streets with photographers taking pics at different places with them posing, then back into their cars, infront their desk again, it goes on and on with no relief for the citizens. Guyanese got lots of mouth, but the mouth to condemn the happenings, are closed, why,? most of them r afraid of being locked up or worst yet killed. They have to await the next election and vote this Government out, in the mean while, while awaiting this, thousands more will have the same fate. Another citizen was gun butted to the head, the thieves have made his demise possible, it’s another one bite the dust, what a downright shame, Mr. Rohee is minister of home affairs, I wonder why he took this office, he needs to resign forthwith, Mr. Greene is sitting his behind in office awaiting to be the one choosen.

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UltimateW
on October 9th, 2008 10:49 pm

Very heartening to read this . I knew a Taxi driver in Demerara , after midnight he pick and chooses his clients , if he’s suspicious of them he would not allow them in his car , he also avoid taking people to the scary areas at those hours .

Hope this driver recover fast and hope he got a good look at those two pieces of garbage that did that to him , so he can give the police a good description of them.

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