Two held over robbery, death of hardware store owner

Two persons are in police custody in connection with the death of hardware store proprietor Abdul Majid of Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Majid, 79, was discovered dead on Sunday around 10.30 am, after bandits invaded his residence. He was found by his wife Kamrun Nesha Majid, 74, and an employee.

Yesterday afternoon, police sources told Stabroek News that they had held two persons for questioning. The sources also said that the two are expected to go through an identification parade today.

In addition, the police sources said, investigators are looking for a silver grey motor car.

On Sunday, it was reported, two men pretending to be customers went to the hardware store to purchase nuts and bolts. During the said time, they attacked the pensioner and later entered his home and robbed his wife of cash and jewellery. They reportedly escaped with US$2000, $130,000 and approximately $800,000 in jewellery.

The woman had told this newspaper that on several occasions in the last three months she had noticed strange persons around her home. She had also indicated that four men were video-taping her home.

The grieving said once time when she noticed the men around her home she went out pretending to dispose of garbage. She recalled after throwing away the garbage she stood and observed the unknown men before returning inside.

The widow added that when on Saturday three men went to purchase nuts and bolts and one entered the shop while two stayed outside. “Dem eyes been wildly, wildly looking all over at the house… Meh had to tell Majid easy that they look like thieves,” she said. The woman had said that she made a report about the unusual event, but nothing was done.

After the robbery was conducted, the men escaped in a silver grey motor car.

Mrs Majid was rescued when an employee heard her cries for help. After the rescue mission, they two searched for Majid and found him inside his store’s bond with his feet tied. He was motionless.

He leaves to mourn his wife, two overseas-based children and grandchildren. Police investigations are continuing.