Lethem guard stabbed to death during attempted robbery

A security guard of Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine, was stabbed to death during an attempted robbery while he was making his way home during the wee hours of yesterday and the police are currently on the hunt for his assailant.

Haimchand Persaud, called ‘Raj,’ 31, sustained a single stab wound to his chest and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Lethem Hospital.

The attack occurred sometime between 1.55am and 2.30am at the Tabatinga Main Access Road, while Persaud, his common-law wife Shemila Xavier, 22, and another woman, identified as Jillian Alfred, were returning home after visiting an entertainment spot. They had been drinking.

The Guyana Police Force, in a press statement, said on the assailant, who was armed with a knife, pounced on the three travellers and attempted to rob them. “As they were in close proximity [to] their home, the suspect pounced with a knife and attempted to rob them, during which a physical encounter ensued between Persaud and the suspect, who stabbed him,” the police said.

The suspect escaped on a motorcycle and was not apprehended up to last evening.

This newspaper was told that Persaud and Xavier ensured that Alfred entered her apartment before they proceeded towards their home. It was during this time that they noticed the suspect standing on the opposite side on the road.

Xavier subsequently saw the suspect changing into a black hoodie and pulled what appeared to be a knife. She immediately alerted Persaud that they were about to get robbed.

The suspect reportedly approached the couple and Persaud was stabbed during a bid to defend himself.

The suspect then rode away on a motorcycle and Persaud attempted to chase after him but collapsed to the ground, this newspaper was told.

Several items, including a helmet, were recovered at the scene.