Police hunt suspects in Corentyne daytime robberies

Investigators in Berbice are on the hunt for two suspects in relation to the robbery at Spready’s Supermarket, Port Mourant, and three others with regards to a robbery at Kildonan Village.  The two robberies occurred around 3 pm on Tuesday afternoon.

In relation to the theft of $800,000 from the Money Gram located in Spready’s Supermarket, Port Mourant, Commander of B Division, Ian Amsterdam, when contacted by Stabroek News, said that they have recovered the perpetrators’ motorcycle on the Corentyne road. He said that they have received information on one of the individuals whom they are looking for.

A police source close to the investigation, informed Stabroek News, that investigators are closing in on the suspect, and an arrest is expected to be made shortly.

With regards to the robbery at Kildonan, Amsterdam said investigators are still hunting for the three criminals. However, he noted that they have received information which is assisting with the investigation.

On Tuesday afternoon, a lone gunman entered the Spready’s Supermarket and attacked the staff attached to the Money Gram outlet. The bandit grabbed hold of the employee’s hair and slammed her head onto the counter. He then emptied both cash registers which were filled with cash, into his black back pack. According to an eyewitness, he had parked his motorcycle before entering the supermarket. However, when he ran out to make his escape, his motor cycle refused to start, leaving him with no other option but to escape on foot.

The robbery caused business owners in Rose Hall, Corentyne and other surrounding areas to close their doors earlier than usual. After the ordeal, several businessman visited the owners of the supermarket to lend their support.

Meanwhile, at Lot 17, Kildonan Village, Corentyne, three men entered the home of Nirmila Devi Persaud, 50, and robbed her of $5080, a cellular phone and a gold earring. The woman who operates a grocery stall in front of her house, recounted to Stabroek News, shortly after the ordeal,  that she had been sitting at the back, cleaning fish when the men barged into her premises. She stated that two of them were masked, while, the unmasked bandit carried a gun.

The men applied duct tape to the woman’s hands, feet and mouth, while demanding cash and jewellery.  They also chucked her several times during the ordeal. However, after a persistent customer came to the woman’s stand to purchase carrots, the men ran out the front and made good their escape.