Suspects in Five Star Backdam robbery, shooting held

Three suspects in Monday’s invasion of a mining camp at Five Star Backdam, North West District, during which a Brazilian man was shot and injured, were found hiding in a building in the area by police.

Stabroek News was reliably informed that the men were first taken to Port Kaituma yesterday before being transported to the city.

This information varies slightly from what Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told Stabroek News when contacted yesterday. According to Persaud, one person had been arrested by police and he will be charged shortly. He said the suspect has been identified as part of the gang who committed the armed robbery.

Persaud said police have spoken to the injured Brazilian, who is a patient at a private city hospital.

However, a source close to the owner of the structure that the men were found hiding in, said they were there for five days and after committing the robbery, they returned. He said that when the team of policemen went into the area to investigate, they received information on where the men were hiding and subsequently found them the following day.

The source said that the father of one of the suspects owns a shop in that area.

Police had said Brazilian Felix De Souza was shot two others were robbed in the attack.

Investigations revealed that the four perpetrators, two of whom were armed with handguns, entered a mining camp around 7am, held up the two Brazilians and took away a quantity of raw gold, a digital camera and a licensed .32 pistol with seven rounds from them.

In the process, the men discharged several rounds, hitting De Souza to his shoulder and jaw. The wounded De Souza was transported to Port Kaituma and later flown to the city.

Georgetown Hospital sources had said the man was admitted to the institution after receiving treatment. However, he refused admission although his condition was listed as serious.