Robbery suspect dies in GPHC after falling unconscious in lock-ups

Police today said that robbery suspect Kelvin Poonsammy died in hospital after being found unconscious in the Brickdam lock-ups.

In a statement, police said that at about 1030h this morning Poonsammy, 19 years of Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Georgetown, who was in custody at the Brickdam Lockups, was found in an unconscious condition. He was taken back to the GPHC where he succumbed while receiving medical attention.

Police said that Poonsammy, who was armed with a shotgun, was one of three perpetrators who are reported to have robbed the owner and three employees of the Dutch Bottle Café on North Road, Georgetown, at gunpoint on Friday October 07, 2011. During the robbery he was confronted by a number of persons who had gone to the victims’ assistance and was allegedly beaten. He was subsequently handed over, along with the firearm, to the police who took him to the GPHC where he was treated and sent away and was placed in custody.

Poonsammy had been earlier visited by ranks on duty at 0900h. today and appeared to be in good condition at that time, police said.

During the investigations a search was conducted on the home of Poonsammy where three 9mm. rounds and several items of army kit were found.

Police said that while being questioned by investigators Poonsammy had admitted his involvement in several other armed robberies that were all committed by a three-man gang, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

Police said that these were an armed robbery on September 09, 2011, at Goed Fortuin H/Scheme, WBD, where businessman Bishnu Ramdyal was held up and robbed of $150,000.00, a quantity of cell phone cards and a cell phone; an armed robbery on October 06, 2011, at Ramroop’s Furniture Store, Lombard Street, Georgetown, during which two sales clerks were held at gunpoint and robbed of cash and a cell phone; and the armed robbery committed on October 01, 2011, where Raymond ‘Rambo’ Gaskin and two female guests were attacked and robbed of $50,000.00, two cell phones and a quantity of jewellery at his home at Dennis Street, Cambellville. Gaskin was chopped to his head and left arm during the incident.