A father and his 22-year-old daughter were on Tuesday evening terrorised by two armed men who invaded their business place at Byderabo, Back Road, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and carted off an undisclosed sum of cash.

Lalchand Seeraj, also called “Ghana”, and his daughter, Gomattie Seeraj, are thankful for their lives since neither of the gunmen pulled the trigger during the ordeal. According to information received, the businessman and his daughter were at home alone, while his wife, two sons and the handyman were out conducting business.

About 21:00h, Guyana Times understands, the two gunmen entered the shop through the back entrance while the businessman was at the front locking the gates. As he turned around, one of the gunmen pounced on him with a gun in his hands. He reportedly placed the gun to the man’s head and ordered him into the shop.

The second gunman subsequently joined in demanding money and jewellery.

Jane Persaud, wife of the businessman, on Thursday during a phone interview told the Guyana Times that the gunmen ordered her husband to lie on the ground. One of the men, she noted, reportedly asked him to hand over the money he had in his possession and as such, he handed over $140 which he had in his pocket.

The angry bandit, she explained, searched the drawers in the grocery shop and took out every penny but was still not satisfied. The two men then took her husband to the upper flat of the house.

Her daughter who was in the bedroom attempted to hide when she realised what was happening, but the gunmen pulled her out of the room and ordered her to join her father on the floor.

While one of the men had the gun pointed at the duo, the other searched the rooms for money and jewellery, but came up empty-handed. The gunman then realised that the daughter’s wardrobe was locked and requested the keys.

As the young woman was about to comply, the businesswoman, her sons and the handyman returned home. Persaud stated that after the men heard them driving into the yard, they took her daughter and husband to the lower flat of the house where they made their escape through an open door. The woman claimed that as she parked the car, her daughter breathlessly ran to them shouting “Thief”. Her sons and the handyman searched the area, but came up empty-handed. She attempted to contact the Police but did not get through.

She eventually got on to her sister who went to the Bartica Police Station and made the report. The Police subsequently visited the house and took statements. One man was arrested, but was released on Thursday afternoon. The Police are continuing their investigations.