Residents of three North West District (NWD) villages that are being terrorized by a large gang believe that the men are being fed information since they are utilizing the many bush trails instead of the main access road where the patrol groups are.
On Tuesday night there were two more sightings of the men in Hosororo but they quickly fled into the thick bush. Despite a nightly police patrol and formation of several citizens’ patrol groups in Hosororo, Bumbury and Wanaina, the men continue to elude capture.
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday the police commander with responsibility for that area, Senior Superintendent Nolan Hendricks said that he is unaware of any large gang. He however said that there have been allegations that persons are breaking into people’s quarters and one report has been made to the police.
The Commander stated that police are assisting the communities with nightly patrols adding that he was aware of two persons suspected to be members of the gang being held. Stabroek News was told that the two men are in the lock-ups at the Mabaruma Police Station, some 3 ½ miles away.
One of the men was caught fetching a generator which had been stolen from a home in Wanaina while his accomplices ran away. The other was arrested several days earlier.
Residents had reported to this newspaper that a gang of men, in one instance numbering twelve, has been breaking into homes in the last week and molesting girls. From all appearances, the gang who residents believe originated from communities along the Aruka River which runs through Hosororo, would break up into small groups when carrying out their attacks.
The police were informed about the situation last week after it escalated into a nightly occurrence. When contact was made with residents yesterday, they said that they are still living in fear because the men have become bolder – carrying out their attacks earlier and using a toxic spray on the latest victim.
One resident said that on Tuesday night, the men entered a home in Hosororo and sprayed the substance in the face of the young girl but fled after her father – who is a licensed firearm holder, discharged a round.
Earlier that night around 7’o clock a woman fainted after one of the men pointed what appeared to be a gun at her.
In both instances the men disappeared into the bushes. Hosororo has electricity up to at least 11 pm daily but the other villages are not that fortunate. They have no electricity at all and have to depend on lamps and generators.
Another resident pointed out that instead of the main road the men have been using the tracks behind the villages. They also lead to the river and are a perfect way to enter and leave the communities undetected.
The resident pointed out that the patrols that have been set up cannot pursue the men because the area is surrounded by thick bush, they are hampered by the lack of lights and they are unsure if the men are armed.
Residents said that they are in a frightening situation that neither they nor the police can handle. Yesterday they again issued a plea for help from the army to flush out the men.
One resident, whose daughter became a victim last Thursday, told this newspaper that they cannot afford to go after the men because they are few in number and they work from 6 pm to 5 am after which they have to check on their families to ensure all is well.
Stabroek News was told that the students of the Hosororo Primary School have been urged to walk in groups and to immediately report any encounters they may have with the men.
