Four gunmen early yesterday morning made off with a metal safe containing over $82,000 in cash and cheques from the Goed Intent Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office.
The gunmen made good their escape in a waiting speed boat after severely beating the security guard who was on duty.
According to reports the incident occurred around 2 am yesterday and the ordeal lasted for some two hours. Security guard Nigel Fraser who was on duty at the time told Stabroek News that he was in his hut watching a DVD when he heard a creaking sound coming from the bridge. Fraser said upon hearing the sound he peeked out only to be confronted by one of the gunmen who ordered him back into the hut. He said the gunman’s face was covered with a handkerchief.
Fraser said that the first gunman was then assisted by three others who proceeded to gag him and tie him up. Fraser said he was left tied up for almost an hour during which time one of the men stood guard over him. He said during the horrifying one hour he heard sounds as if the men were cutting their way through the metal door on the building. Fraser said that one of the men told him that if he only raised his head he would be killed.
“Then he turn and tell me that he ain’t kill in four days and he really bloodthirsty and if I only talk anything he will come back and kill me because he ask where ah living and I tell he because he had a gun to me head,” Fraser said.
After a long while the other three bandits returned to the hut and ordered him to get up and then they covered his face and escorted him to the back of the building. Fraser said throughout the ordeal one of the men kept gun butting him about his body. He recalled at one point being dragged by his locks through bushes. Fraser, who said he knows the area well, said he was dragged up the sea dam by the men who had a hard time carrying the safe.
The security guard related to Stabroek News that when the men reached the river he looked up and saw a fifth gunman waiting by a boat. According to Fraser by that time the men told him to lie face down on the ground as they loaded their booty into the waiting boat. Fraser said while on the ground one of the gunmen was still threatening to kill him.
He said after a while he heard sounds that indicated that the men had all boarded the boat and left. At this point Fraser said he ran for his life heading back towards the office to seek help. He summoned the help of neighbours who informed the police of the incident. Fraser was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was treated and sent away. He has been employed as a security guard with the Goed Intent NDC for the past seven years.
Meanwhile according to a police statement apart from the safe containing the cash the gunmen also made good their escape with other important documents belonging to the NDC, including land transports and other files. (Jenelle Carter)
