Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force is responding to a letter published in the Stabroek News of Friday August 1, 2008 under the caption ‘If the police cannot solve serious crimes then get help from a foreign police force.’
In the letter to the editor the writer, Mr Balwant Persaud stated that when his place in Guyana was attacked by armed gunmen, he had named the individual who masterminded the robbery and attack on his premises with strong evidence linking the individual to the crime and yet the individual had not been arrested as yet and faced the court. He claimed that detailed statements and letters were furnished to the CID section of Alberttown Police Station but the criminal was still on the loose.
Mr Persaud further alleged in his letter that all the police did was call the person in for a few questions and then let him go and that while at the station the criminal was threatening his life and he told the Inspector that by letter.
The Guyana Police Force wishes to refute these allegations levelled by Mr Balwant Persaud and to say that the matter was properly investigated. The suspect was arrested but no evidence has been unearthed that would lead to a charge being instituted. The Guyana Police Force has to act within the confines of the law and could not detain the suspect any further under the circumstances.
For the record, on the morning of July 3, 2008 Mr Balwant Persaud who resides and operates from an office ‘Balwant Persaud and Associates’ at 57 Upper Robb Street, Bourda, reported to the police at Alberttown Police Station that about 9:00h on the said date three identifiable men entered the business premises on the pretext of purchasing computers during which one of them who was armed with a handgun held up himself and his secretary, Ms Chandroutie Narine Ramdhanny.
The men proceeded to tie them up with duct tape and took away $1.3 million cash, US$300, two computers, and a number of files and other items to the value of $2,253,000.00 before escaping in a waiting motor car.
The scene was visited by a party of police ranks and processed and Balwant Persaud and his secretary were subsequently interviewed. He identified a business associate who had knowledge of his operation as being involved in planning the robbery but produced no evidence to link the business associate to the crime. It is interesting to note that even when Mr Persaud subsequently met the suspect at the Alberttown Police Station he levelled no allegations against him either verbally or in writing.
Further, on July 16, 2008, Balwant Persaud reported to the police that at about 0:15h on the said date he was at home when he was aroused by the sound of gunshots being discharged at his home. The police visited the scene and recovered warheads and metal fragments from inside his home. Mr Persaud again claimed that he suspected that his business associate was responsible for the shooting at his premises.
The business associate was arrested by the police on July 17, 2008 and a search was conducted on his premises in Kitty, but nothing of evidential value was found. He was questioned by the police in relation to the robbery and the shooting of Persaud’s premises and he denied having any knowledge. He was subsequently released. No statement was obtained from the virtual complainant.
On July 26, 2008 Ms Chandroutie Narine Ramdhanny went to the Alberttown Police Station where she handed over a computerized statement from Balwant Persaud and informed the police that he had left the country on July 18, 2008 for Canada where he is resident.
It would appear that Mr Persaud may have had issues in relation to the nature of his business which may have provoked the ire of someone who has targeted his business and home. The matters are still under investigation.
Yours faithfully,
Ivelaw Whittaker
Public Relations and
Press Officer
Guyana Police Force
