Over $1M in steel rods stolen from Eccles trader

Businessman Angad Dalip is now counting over $1M in losses after six men robbed his Eccles East Bank Demerara, Industrial Site business of steel rods.

During the attack, which occurred early yesterday morning at Dalip’s Trading, one of Dalip’s two security guards claims he was held at knife point before being tied up by the robbers, who carted away the material in a canter truck.

Dalip told Stabroek News that the guards are claiming that the men gained access to the steel rods from the eastern side of the building. He explained that normally there are two guards working at nights to ensure the security of the building, while the GEB Guard Service would make spot checks.

He said both guards told him that earlier in the night they saw a canter truck driving around the area but after the truck left the northern side of the building and ventured through a street at the eastern side of the building, both guards thought it had gone.

However, Dalip said the guard situated at the eastern side of the building said when he arrived at his location, he was attacked by two men from the canter. He said the man told him that the two men held knives to him while four other men removed the steel rods and packed it onto the parked canter truck.

Some of the steel rods that were left behind by the robbers
Some of the steel rods that were left behind by the robbers

While the stealing transpired, Dalip said the guard located at the northern side of the building said he heard nothing. He added that the man said when he arrived from the northern side of the building, he saw his partner tied up and the canter truck already gone.

Dalip, however, believes the guards were asleep at the time of the attack.

He noted that there was still a parcel of the steel rods left open and left on the floor. The man said he does not understand why the men would leave some of steel rods.

The GEB guard service and the police were subsequently called in and the matter is being investigated.

Dalip said tons of steel rods were taken and he estimated his losses to be over a $1M. He added that he is working on relocating the steel rods from the eastern side of the building to eliminate theft.

Dalip’s Trading specialises in steel fabrication and also stocks various steel products, such as steel plates, angle irons and steel rods.