Bandits target East Canje supermarket again

The supermarket that was robbed on Wednesday evening
The supermarket that was robbed on Wednesday evening

A Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice supermarket was once again targeted by bandits on Wednesday evening.

This time, two armed perpetrators robbed the supermarket of of approximately $210,000 in cash and $100,000 worth of GTT phone cards.

Four persons were arrested up to Thursday in connection with the attack.

According to information gathered, Zhou Chunmin, 26, operates the supermarket on the lower flat of Lot 109 Num-ber Two Village, East Canje, Berbice, where he resides in the upper flat with his uncle Chang Sang, 43, a labourer.

Stabroek News was told that around 8.55 pm on Wednesday, Chunmin closed his store while Sang placed a black bag containing the now stolen items in the supermarket’s storeroom and proceeded to head upstairs. It was then that the two perpetrators, both armed, launched their attack.

A source told this publication that one of the bandits dealt Sang a blow to his head, which resulted in him running downstairs back into the storeroom in order to escape. However, one of the perpetrators, who was reportedly armed with a cutlass at that time held Chunmin in the storeroom and ordered him not to move or sound an alarm or he would “shoot him.”

The source related that the perpetrator from upstairs then ventured into the storeroom and picked up the black bag containing the cash and phone cards. The men then made good their escape.

The supermarket has been robbed several times during the year. However, the owners are always reluctant to speak with the media. In the past, Stabroek News visited the supermarket to report on a previous robbery, however the owners had explained that they were afraid that the perpetrators may return, hence they wished not to speak. During Stabroek News’ visit, the owner once more opted not to go on record about the incident.