A police constable attached to the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, Berbice, is nursing wounds about his body at the New Amsterdam Hospital after he attempted to collect $650,000 that was being extorted from an East Canje businessman.
According to reports reaching Stabroek News, on Friday around 16:00 hrs, the constable, dressed in black pants, black boots and a white jersey entered the business premises of Uprising Bar and Dance Club, took out a gun and pointed it to the head of the owner’s wife, Nadia Jacobs.
Stabroek News understands that as she was being led to the back of building an employee, using a baseball bat, lashed the gun out the policeman’s hand. Once disarmed, he was set upon and severely beaten before the police, who were nearby, went and arrested him.
According to a source close to the family, about a week or so ago some men went to the club, which also houses a fashion store, saying that they were cambio dealers, and wanted to know if they were interested in changing money. While businessman, Ron Jacobs, was making up his mind, the two men took a tour of the place.
Jacobs then bought some US currency, but did not pay for all, telling them to return another day. According to the source, some time on Monday or Tuesday, the men telephoned Jacobs and he told them that the money he had received from them was counterfeit.
The men then reportedly told him that they were police officers and that the same counterfeit money could be found at a specific location on his premises. He was told that this information would be given to the police if he did not cooperate.
The men allegedly demanded $650,000 and also threatened to abduct and kill his wife and child if he did not do as they asked.
While negotiating with the persons issuing the threats, the businessman checked his premises, found the counterfeit money and handed this over to the authorities. He also reported the other threats he received to the Central Police Station.
Meanwhile, he was given up to Friday to get the $650,000. The police were alerted and were present in and around the area. However, on Friday when the blackmailers called they asked that the money be taken to Georgetown.
The businessman lamented that he had only managed to amass $600,000, and would get the rest by Tuesday. He was the told that they would accept the $600,000, but that he should take the money to Rosignol.
He made another excuse and the blackmailers said they would send someone to pick up the money.
Within an hour, the named police constable, arrived and was given a yellow envelope with pieces of paper which he believed was the money, before he was pounced on and beaten.
The gun, with which he is alleged to have threatened Jacobs’s wife is believed to be of police issue and from the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam. Investigations are continuing.
