Bandits invade Alness businessman’s house, shots fired

The building housing the home and grocery

A businessman from Alness Village, Corentyne is now living in fear after two bandits armed with a gun invaded his home, fired off two bullets and escaped with cash.

Jacob Mootoo
Jacob Mootoo

The building houses J. Mootoo Off Licence Grocery Store. The bandits escaped with two Samsung Galaxy cellular phones and an undisclosed amount of cash. Jacob Mootoo told Stabroek News yesterday that around 10:00 pm on Saturday he retired to bed after which the rain began falling.

“I get up to lock the window and then me hear somebody a knock me glass window”. He explained that he ran to the lower flat of his home to grab his cutlass while his wife hid.

The building housing the home and grocery
The building housing the home and grocery

According to Mootoo, he heard his sister-in-law who resides with them shouting for “help! help!” after which he proceeded to run back upstairs. However, by then the bandits had discharged two rounds in his direction forcing him to retreat to the lower half of his home.  Mootoo’s sister-in-law explained to Stabroek News that after the perpetrators discharged the rounds, they immediately started to demand cash. She stated that the bandits tore apart stuffed animals in their search for money and jewellery.

However, as time passed they made their escape through the window from which they entered. According to information gathered, the men used a piece of wood to break the window.

Mootoo is calling on the police force to up their performance in order for citizens and businesspersons to feel safe. Meanwhile, a police source confirmed to Stabroek News that two spent shells were found in Mootoo’s home. The source opined that it was a 9 mm pistol with a .32 calibre that was likely used to conduct the robbery. No one has since been arrested.