Two armed bandits yesterday held a gun to a husband and wife, who usually sell groceries at Bourda Market, and grabbed $575,000 from them; the incident has left the couple pleading for security to be beefed up.
Manick Samaroo and his wife Rafeena of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara were shaken yesterday, but maintained that they will continue selling as they have “mouths to feed”.
Manick told Stabroek News that around 09:30 hrs, he and his wife were selling, potatoes, onions and other groceries from their Canter truck which was parked on Robb Street when the men calmly walked up.
The men he said were well dressed and unmasked.
The businessman recalled that one of the men pointed a gun at them and said “Don’t seh nothing. Don’t move. Don’t talk. Just hand over the bag.”
Rafeena who had a bag containing the money quickly handed it to the men who then ran a short distance to a black CG motorcycle and drove off.
According to Manick, the armed robbery occurred in the full view of many persons but no one did anything to help them.
“Everybody just stand up and watch. Maybe because they had a gun,” the man said.
He said that on March 11 this year, he was robbed but the bandits did not get much.
He pleaded for an increase in security at the market pointing out that the bandits time the movements of city constables who would patrol on foot.
After the incident, he added he reported the matter to the police.
The Samaroos have been plying their trade at the market for the last 20 years.
