Five shot as gunmen storm Casino at Ramada Princess Hotel

– One captured, cops  hunt three others 
A policeman and four casino staffers were shot after masked gunmen stormed the Ramada Princess Hotel casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara at around 03.30 hrs yesterday.
Three of the bandits escaped with an undisclosed sum of local and foreign currency they took from the casino as well as money and valuables they took from patrons during the half-hour ordeal.
But police captured a fourth bandit as he was trying to escape through a back door when the ranks arrived. They also impounded a car that the attackers left behind.
Police retrieved a shotgun that the gunmen had taken from a security guard and another firearm that one of the bandits had disposed of before escaping.
At press time last night, police were hot on the trail of the rest of the gang.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum disclosed that the detained gunman, known as ‘Dougla’, has been cooperating with investigators.
The suspects are believed to be from Onderneeming, Essequibo, Independence Boulevard, and a third from Kitty and South Ruimveldt.
“The police have information about who the people are. The homes of the suspects were searched and wet clothing was found at two locations. The occupants were questioned, and they indicated to the police that the individuals did not sleep there last night (Thursday); they (the suspects) went there early today, (Friday) changed and left.
“We also have video footage of the entire incident and in reviewing we saw one suspect conceal a weapon (at the scene) and we retrieved that weapon, as well as the shotgun from the suspect we have in custody.”
Among those wounded are Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson of Impact Base, who was shot to his abdomen; Eon Garraway was shot in  his left hand, James Gregory sustained a gunshot wound to his left foot; Orlando Knights was shot in the left hand and Udairan Sookraj sustained injuries to his right hand.
Melissa Ferguson, Jermaine Mason and Roshel Fraser were assaulted during the ordeal.
There are indications that Lance Corporal Richardson and staffer, James Gregory, may have accidentally shot each other.
“James was clearing out the kitchen and same time he (the police) went into the kitchen and the police had a brown coat over his uniform so when James hear the door open and he turn around, the policeman shot at him and he shot at the policeman,” a hotel staffer said.
The wounded policeman was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), while the staffers who were shot were treated at Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital.
A police release stated that the attack began when four men with firearms entered the casino and discharged several rounds into the air.
After relieving a security guard of his shotgun and ammunition, the gunmen ordered patrons and staff to lie on the ground. They then took the security guard to the cashier’s cage where the cashier was also held at gunpoint and relieved of an undisclosed sum of foreign and local currency.
The men arrived at the hotel in a white vehicle bearing a fake number plate, PRR 2545 and three of them managed to escape on foot. Police were able to apprehend one of the suspects, who was left behind in the casino.
Police also impounded the car, which was left at the scene. Video footage taken by a reporter showed the licence number PPP 4111, imprinted on the vehicle wind-screen.
Kaieteur News understands that the driver of the vehicle was carjacked last Sunday after taking two men to Buxton, East Coast Demerara.
Video footage taken by a reporter after the attack showed patrons still on the ground, and one terrified woman weeping as she hid under a table, as police ranks, including ‘A’ Division Commander, Clifton Hicken,  scoured the casino for the gunmen.
The ranks are also shown lifting a barman who was shot in the hand. They are later seen with the gunman who was captured at the scene.
The security guard who was relieved of his firearm said that “about five of them” come up to him and told him not to move.
“Dem man seh pass de shotgun, (and) dem man tek away the shotgun and tell me sit down.
“If I did shoot, dead sure I woudda deh pon de ground, but I woudda kill one of dem,” the guard said.
Another guard said that he was attacked while he was at a guard hut.
One patron said that he was inside the casino playing on one of the machines when the men stormed the building.
“All I hear was ‘everybody go down on the floor’ and I thought it was a mad man run in but when I watch, I see a man with a gun,” the man said.
He added that everyone in the casino followed the men’s instructions.  I turn and see everybody lying on the ground and I decide to lie on the ground, too.
“I was on the floor and I was hurrying to take out my money to put it in my boots and same time the guy pass and say ‘fat man what you doing there? Pass your phone,’ and he asked what else I got and when I said nothing, he go away,” the man recalled.
The patron and some others have vowed not to go back into a casino.
A woman also said that she had just won some $20,000 when the gunmen entered the premises.
According to one of the hotel’s taxi drivers, the men pulled up alongside his vehicle and four men exited with guns.
“This vehicle rolled up and these men exited. All of them had guns in their hands. They stick us up and put us to walk in front of them to go into the casino. They walk to the door and take away the security guards gun.”
He said that once they were inside, the men started to open fire before ordering everyone to lie on the floor.
“They robbed the casino and everyone who was in there. After some time, the one who was guarding everyone shouted ‘time up’ and two of them followed him while one of them was still at the back,” the taxi driver said.
He added that one of the gunmen told the other two robbers who were already at the front preparing to escape that the fourth man was still at the back, but the three men continued with their escape plan.
Kaieteur News understands that when the police arrived at the scene, the fourth gunman was struggling to get the casino’s back door open.
“The back door is funny. You cannot open the door from the inside…you have to go all the way around to the outside and opened it so that is why he couldn’t escape,” a hotel employee said.
One patron told the police that yesterday’s incident was “like a horror movie.”

And this is how the PNC/AFC intend to attract visitors to Guyana.  Georgetown appears like Kabul sometimes!!  This Govt in likely one of the least useful in Guyana's history!!

There are indications that Lance Corporal Richardson and staffer, James Gregory, may have accidentally shot each other.
“James was clearing out the kitchen and same time he (the police) went into the kitchen and the police had a brown coat over his uniform so when James hear the door open and he turn around, the policeman shot at him and he shot at the policeman,” a hotel staffer said.

Ya Ba Da Ba Boooo... only in Guyana this can happen.  

Where is Granger and his Military Acolytes. You would expect these people to curtail crimes . 

Either they at a lost or don't care.  

Guyana is NOW HELL BUT dont tell that to the Cool Aid, Snakeoil dumb Gang!!!!!!!!

Nehru posted:

Guyana is NOW HELL BUT dont tell that to the Cool Aid, Snakeoil dumb Gang!!!!!!!!

Shuuu.... 

ian posted:

Nehru posted:

Guyana is NOW HELL BUT dont tell that to the Cool Aid, Snakeoil dumb Gang!!!!!!!!

Shuuu.... 

Alyu two a susur pussur silently.

Django posted:

ian posted:

Nehru posted:

Guyana is NOW HELL BUT dont tell that to the Cool Aid, Snakeoil dumb Gang!!!!!!!!

Shuuu.... 

Alyu two a susur pussur silently.

Django, I did not know you are part of this famous Gang

Nehru posted:

Django posted:

ian posted:

Nehru posted:

Guyana is NOW HELL BUT dont tell that to the Cool Aid, Snakeoil dumb Gang!!!!!!!!

Shuuu.... 

Alyu two a susur pussur silently.

Django, I did not know you are part of this famous Gang

Bhai you should know me by now,been here a while.

Django, I may be wrong and forgive me If I am BUT were you not one of the people who said vote for a coalition Govt and crime and corruption will be no more, that Uncle Tom and Devany will be independent and act as PROTECTORS of the Guyanese people welfare???

Nehru posted:

Django, I may be wrong and forgive me If I am BUT were you not one of the people who said vote for a coalition Govt and crime and corruption will be no more, that Uncle Tom and Devany will be independent and act as PROTECTORS of the Guyanese people welfare???

I backed the coalition for a change,Guyana doesn't need one party rule which had happened for 23 years,in multi ethnic country's some of the people feel they are not fully represented and as such periodical change in government is very much desired,my expectations for the current gov't was very high,it's almost a year and they are fumbling i hope they can correct their mistakes and move the country foward,i am keeping my fingers crossed and watching them.

So there is no need for you to forgive me.

Django posted:

Nehru posted:

Django, I may be wrong and forgive me If I am BUT were you not one of the people who said vote for a coalition Govt and crime and corruption will be no more, that Uncle Tom and Devany will be independent and act as PROTECTORS of the Guyanese people welfare???

I backed the coalition for a change,Guyana doesn't need one party rule which had happened for 23 years,in multi ethnic country's some of the people feel they are not fully represented and as such periodical change in government is very much desired,my expectations for the current gov't was very high,it's almost a year and they are fumbling i hope they can correct their mistakes and move the country foward,i am keeping my fingers crossed and watching them.

You been crossing you fingers so much that now if must be a pretzel. 

Drugb posted:

Django posted:

Nehru posted:

Django, I may be wrong and forgive me If I am BUT were you not one of the people who said vote for a coalition Govt and crime and corruption will be no more, that Uncle Tom and Devany will be independent and act as PROTECTORS of the Guyanese people welfare???

I backed the coalition for a change,Guyana doesn't need one party rule which had happened for 23 years,in multi ethnic country's some of the people feel they are not fully represented and as such periodical change in government is very much desired,my expectations for the current gov't was very high,it's almost a year and they are fumbling i hope they can correct their mistakes and move the country foward,i am keeping my fingers crossed and watching them.

You been crossing you fingers so much that now if must be a pretzel. 

Ah hope it will no be in that position and out of shape in the next four years.

Django posted:

Nehru posted:

Django, I may be wrong and forgive me If I am BUT were you not one of the people who said vote for a coalition Govt and crime and corruption will be no more, that Uncle Tom and Devany will be independent and act as PROTECTORS of the Guyanese people welfare???

I backed the coalition for a change,Guyana doesn't need one party rule which had happened for 23 years,in multi ethnic country's some of the people feel they are not fully represented and as such periodical change in government is very much desired,my expectations for the current gov't was very high,it's almost a year and they are fumbling i hope they can correct their mistakes and move the country foward,i am keeping my fingers crossed and watching them.

Django Bai, you have my full support. 

Django posted:

I backed the coalition for a change,Guyana doesn't need one party rule which had happened for 23 years,in multi ethnic country's some of the people feel they are not fully represented and as such periodical change in government is very much desired,my expectations for the current gov't was very high,it's almost a year and they are fumbling i hope they can correct their mistakes and move the country foward,i am keeping my fingers crossed and watching them.

I agree with you. Did since prior to the 2011 elections when I hoped the AFC would provide the necessary balance between the PPP and PNC. Guyana desperately need a representative government which can only take place if the Constitution is reformed. As pointed out many times, amending the Constitution requires a 2/3 approval. Since the Coalition Government promised to do so and since so many here maintain that the PPP will never be the Government again, it would seem that the circumstances are perfect for amending the Constitution. It is surprising that it hasn't moved further along? Don't need finance/FOREX for this. 

Django posted:

ian posted:

Nehru posted:

Guyana is NOW HELL BUT dont tell that to the Cool Aid, Snakeoil dumb Gang!!!!!!!!

Shuuu.... 

Alyu two a susur pussur silently.

Wah? You want fuh hear story like dem bad hooman nah?