Vreed-en-Hoop bar, customers robbed by bandits

A Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara bar owner and his customers were left traumatized on Tuesday evening after two bandits, posing as customers robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash and other valuables.

The attack occurred around 7:30pm at the Sun Beam Hangout Bar located at Lot 9 A New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD. The bar is owned and operated by Yodeshwar Chetram who also performs the duties of the bartender. Vreed-en-Hoop has been hit by a spate of armed robberies which has left residents nervy.

At the time of the robbery, Chetram was present along with six customers who were drinking and playing pools. The armed bandits made good their escape with a total of $115,000 cash, several cell phones, a quantity of alcoholic beverages and a car key.

The Sun Beam Hangout bar where the robbery occured
The Sun Beam Hangout bar where the robbery occured

When Stabroek News arrived at the scene yesterday, two police officers were present having a discussion with Chetram.

Chetram explained to this newspaper that he was behind the counter performing his duties, when the two men entered the bar. One of them proceeded to the counter to purchase cigarettes while the other stood at the entrance.

He said just after the transaction was carried out, the bandit at the entrance whipped out a firearm and ordered that they remain quiet and hand over their valuables. Searches were carried out on the customers who were relieved of cash and valuables. However, one customer who refused to abide with the bandits’ instruction was gun butted to his head.

The men then carted off a quantity of alcoholic beverages and emptied the cash register before they made good their escape in a white heavily-tinted Toyota 212 which was parked outside the bar.

Up to yesterday afternoon, no arrest had been made.