The Guyana Police Force yesterday said that it is investigating the murder of Ricky Oswald Ambrose, a 40-year-old mining surveyor and ranger of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, which occurred on Sunday, on ‘Guana’ Sand Trail, Cuyuni River.
In a statement, the police said that Investigations so far have revealed that Ambrose was a licensed holder of a .32 Pistol. He was employed as a ranger with Alphonso Mining in the Cuyuni River.
Based on information received, at about 5 am on Sunday, Ambrose left Arimu Landing en route to ‘Guana’ Sand Landing with his ATV #CK 3965.
At about 11 am on the said day, a 24-year-old miner was heading from his work ground to the camp ground and was walking along the Arimu trail when he observed a body on the ground with multiple injuries. The body was about 20 feet from the ATV.
An alarm was raised, and a report was subsequently made at the Bartica Police Station.
The report was received at about 2:20 pm on Sunday. At 3.15 pm, a Sergeant, a Corporal, and a Constable, left for the scene via Police ATV #CL1738. After crossing over the Mazaruni River at Teperu, the police say that the axle of the ATV broke. The three ranks quickly managed to get it fixed and continued their journey through the trail.
They arrived at Arimu backdam at 12.30 am yesterday and continued the journey, proceeding through a back trail to the scene, where they encountered a creek which prevented them from crossing.
They remained there until daylight and crossed the creek, arriving at the scene at about 6 yesterday morning.
The scene was processed and photographed. No firearm, gold or cash was found.
The body was escorted to the Bartica Hospital. Additional ranks joined the team and are continuing the investigation.
The Guyana Police Force said it has taken note of a statement emanating from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) as it relate to the Police response.
“The facts, as stated above, highlight the challenges encountered by the police ranks in getting to the scene as quickly as they could”, the police said.
In its statement, the GGDMA said that Ambrose served for 20 years as a surveyor and provided great support to miners.
According to reports received by the GGDMA, Ambrose was found with lacerations about his body, which was some distance away from his ATV which he was using at the time. Reports reaching the Association disclosed that his licensed firearm along with a quantity of raw gold and cash are also missing.
The statement said that Ambrose was well known in the area and other mining districts in the country. The Association said it also learnt that the police only visited the area sometime yesterday morning to assess the scene and remove the body.
“The GGDMA finds this response by the police as being poor since Arimu is not a far distance away from Bartica”, the statement said.
The association expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Ambrose and called on the authorities to undertake a proper investigation into this incident. The Association also called on the authorities to put proper systems in place at the country’s borders to negate all criminal activities.
