Armed bandits stormed the Ace Shopping Centre at Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Saturday in a chilling attack and escaped with around $4000 in hundred- and twenty-dollar notes following an exchange of gunfire with the proprietor, who is a licensed firearm holder.
Hari Persaud popularly known as ‘Ace’ yesterday told Stabroek News that the robbery occurred just before 5pm while he was behind the counter attending to customers.
He said a staffer who was also present in the shop was gunbutted by the bandits. The bandits also forced a couple, who were outside of the shop packing items they had just purchased into their vehicle back into the shop.
Persaud said due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, he normally closes his business around 5pm every day.
He related that earlier in the afternoon, three men, posing as customers visited the shop to purchase a case of beers. “They deh turning and twisting and pointing at different things,” Persaud said.
He said after spending about half an hour in the shop, the trio left and returned shortly after. “They went in the shop for about half an hour and they went on their phones and things like that but at that time we didn’t really suspect them as bandits. We had a lot of customers coming and going out,” he added.
Persaud further explain-ed that when the men returned they ordered the beers which he sent his staffer to get. It was during the process, that one of the bandits held the staffer at gunpoint and ordered her back into the shop.
“I had already sent out the girl to get the beer through the main entrance and I see he (bandit) rush to the girl with the gun in his hands,” Persaud said.
He said he ran and grabbed his licensed firearm which was lying on a table in the shop.
Persaud noted that he then escaped through the exit door after which he tried to prepare his firearm to shoot at the bandits.
“I run towards a steel door at the side, an exit door then but I just brace my foot with the door, my shoulder and my foot and I was trying to get my gun ready…..As soon as he (bandit) reach in so he kick the door, trying to open it and he pushing the door. He say he will `shoot my so and so’”, Persaud related.
“He push he gun through a thing and he say he will shoot so I say ‘you could shoot’. When he see my gun he back off and he start shoot and I shoot back. When I get the chance I shoot back at them. Well I just peep and shoot…One ah them hide for cover at the side and he keep shooting and just run out,” he added.
The entire incident was captured on surveillance camera which monitors the business.
According to Persaud, during the exchange of gunfire, the bandits hurriedly escaped.
During their escape, Persaud said the bandits grabbed two boxes which contained about $4000 in hundred and twenty dollars bills. He said they also managed to flee with the cash the last customers paid him with which was on the counter.
The matter was reported to the police and an investigation is said to be ongoing. However, a police source said no arrest has yet been made.
The shop has been robbed in the past.
