Even as three residents are being questioned about their association with the gang that has created fear in three North West District villages, there have been reports of attacks in another community six miles away and along the Aruka River.
Though there have been no attacks in Hosororo, Bumbary and Waniana in the last few days, residents are still concerned about their safety and are uneasy as they ponder what is sparking the attacks.
It all started early last week when gangs descended on the villages at dark, breaking into homes and fondling girls as young as 12-year-old. The three communities are located one after the other on a stretch of road that leads to the Aruka River.
Ranks at the Mabaruma Police Station were informed and are assisting residents with nightly patrols. The residents have also formed themselves into groups and would patrol from late afternoon every day until around 6am.
It was believed that the perpetrators were from settlements on the Aruka River and that was confirmed when two were arrested in Hosororo after they had carried out attacks. They are still in custody and are assisting police with investigations.
Residents had said too that they and the police don’t have the required skills to capture the men who would flee into the bushes to hide and had made pleas for assistance from the army. So far that help has not arrived and the men of the affected communities have vowed to do everything they can to ensure that their women folk are safe.
A resident told Stabroek News yesterday that three residents from Hosororo were held by villagers at their homes on Thursday night and handed over to the police. He said that information was received that the men were associated with the gang members.
The man, whose daughter was attacked last week as she slept, said that they have received reports that the men had struck at settlements along the Aruka River and in Wauna, which is at least six miles from Hosororo. Wauna is accessible through the Aruka River.
According to the resident, the men are not stealing anything but are instead molesting young girls. He went on to say that a woman at Wauna was on her way home from a church service when six young men believed to be part of the gang attacked as she neared the playfield.
The woman managed to escape and locked herself in her house.
Making reports?
When Stabroek News had contacted Senior Super-intendent Nolan Hendricks who has responsibility for that area earlier this week, he said that he was unaware of any large gang.
He had also stated that there have been allegations that persons are breaking into people’s quarters and one report has been made to the police.
The resident said he had made a report last week and when he returned on Thursday to give statements several persons were at the station giving their version to ranks.
Asked why resident were not coming forward before, the man said that many residents were and are still afraid to make reports for fear that the men might attack them again.
Stabroek News was also informed by residents that the members of the gang including the leader have been identified as being from settlements along the Aruka River.
The two suspects in custody from all accounts are speaking and have identified some of the gang members to police. A prominent resident in Hosororo said that though the acts have subsided villagers remain on high alert and would still stay at the homes of other residents during the night.
The resident said that she would be happy if the remaining members could be caught so that her community could be ‘quiet’ once again.
