A couple was brutalised and robbed at their North Ruimveldt home early yesterday morning.
Six men carried out the attack on Ian Shanks, an accounts executive, and his wife at their Festival City, North Ruimveldt home, from where they carted off approximately $500,000 in cash and jewellery.
Shanks and his wife were held at gunpoint throughout the attack and he said yesterday he was thankful that they were still alive. The couple remigrated from Barbados less than a year ago.
Stabroek News was told that the Shanks left their home on Sunday night for an outing with friends and boarded a taxi to return home. However, as they were about to enter their yard, they were approached by two men. One of the men was wearing a hood, while the other had a piece of cloth tied across his face. The men demanded cash and jewellery, which were handed over to them but they were not satisfied.
They then dragged the couple into their home, where they were held at gunpoint by the two men, while four others ransacked the premises. “They told me to pass over everything or they will kill me and I told them I done give them everything I had and if they looking for more they may be at the wrong place but they still keep searching the house,” said Shanks. He said one of the men dealt him several blows about his body and he was punched to his face. The entire ordeal lasted for approximately half an hour, after which the men escaped on foot.
After the attack, the couple contacted the police. However, up to midday yesterday, Shanks said they were still awaiting the visit of ranks to dust their home for fingerprints as was promised. Shanks said he was disappointed at the poor response of the police.
He also appealed to the authorities to implement a strategy so that there would be a decrease in the number of armed robberies and home invasions that have been occurring.
