Is this a sign of ethnic neglect by the apnu/afc as they protect their constituents who voted for them and neglect the PPP supporters?

Berbice replacing G/town as country’s murder capital

The county of Berbice seems to be heading towards becoming the murder capital of Guyana, while the actual capital city of Georgetown is seemingly the safest place to be.
A perusal of the police crime statistics reveal that Berbice alone accounted for 11 of the 25 murders that occurred in the country up to the end of February. Add the murder of Indrawattie Somwar which occurred earlier this month at Corriverton and it’s easy to see why Berbice is holding the unenviable title of murder capital.
Compare this with Georgetown and its environs (‘A’ Division), which had no murder up to February month end. This figure was only marred recently with the murder of Cuban National Joel Perez Laffita last week and Monday’s discovery of the body of re-migrant Soesdyke farmer Anthony Breedy.
Last year around the same period under review, ‘A’ division was leading in the number of murders, which included two executions and two committed during robberies.
This year, of the 12 murders in Berbice, eight were committed during robberies, making the county one of the most violent areas in the country.
With the exception of domestic and robbery, all other categories of murders have declined so far.
The East Coast and West Coast Demerara Divisions are joint second with five murders apiece so far, while the Interior accounts for three. Linden only had one up to February 29.
Commander of the police ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken attributed the low murder rate in and around the city to the heightened posture of his ranks. This is in keeping with the highly effective “Operation Dragnet”, which was launched late last year.
He spoke of improved community relations and an open-door policy in dealing with members of the public.
“Whenever people have a problem with the police and they come to me, they are leaving my office satisfied,” the Commander told this newspaper in an invited comment.
He said that while ranks on patrol are focused on interacting freely with the public, they remain unyielding to the task of maintaining a lid on crime.
Additionally, the Division is utilizing crime analysis from the Divisional Information Management System to target crime hotspots, an initiative that is increasingly bearing fruit.
As at Friday last, ‘A’ Division boasted a 19% drop in serious crimes.
Meanwhile, it is hoped that recent changes in the command structure in Berbice will see a turnaround in the crime prevention and crime-fighting situation there.
Recently-promoted Assistant Commissioner of Police Ian Amsterdam, who was Second in Command to Hicken in ‘A’ Division, has been posted to head the Berbice Division.
While ranks in Berbice have managed to crack a criminal gang that was responsible for most of the robbery/murders in the county, there are still a few pockets of criminal elements that are causing a few headaches.

Bandit opens fire on NA businesswoman during robbery

A bag containing a hat and a pack of cigarettes left behind by the bandit

A lone gunman on Tuesday evening escaped with an undisclosed sum of cash from a New Amsterdam, Berbice variety store but not before opening fire on the businesswoman and her employee. The incident occurred sometime around 19:00h.

Guyana Times understands that the unmasked man fled on foot with a bag containing the day’s sales of Sankar’s Variety, located in downtown New Amsterdam, after discharging two shots in the direction of the two persons. Luckily, no one was hurt during the incident.

Sankar’s Variety which was robbed on Tuesday evening

However, one of the store’s owners pursued the gunman, hitting him with a car but he still managed to escape into an ally and eventually disappearing. During the chase, some of the stolen money was left behind and was recovered by the owners.

According to reports, the gunman struck as the proprietors were closing the business. This newspaper was told that Babita Sankar was in the store along with a female employee closing up while her husband, Danny Sankar, had gone to the parking lot to get his car.

The tramatised wife related to Guyana Times that she had observed a stranger standing behind a utility pole situated next to the business and enquired from her employee whether she knew him.

“She (employee) told me that he was standing there for a while and said she doesn’t know him. And as soon as she said so, he come and stand up next to me and say give me all the money. And I say what kind of money you want? And I jump on the table. And he pull out the gun and fire one bullet,” the woman recalled.

She noted that at the time she was not aware that the shot fired at her had missed. Realising the danger, the female employee sprung into action and tried to hold the gunman. He then fired a second shot, this time at the employee.

“When the gun fire, I loose he and run,” the young employee told this publication.

After grabbing the money bag which the Sankars were preparing to take into the car, the gunman escaped by running along Strand Street and then into Chappell Street.

At this time, Danny Sankar became aware of what had transpired and pursued the fleeing man with his car. He was able to hit the gunman, causing him to lose his balance. However, the man was able to make it into a nearby alley and disappeared.

Babita further related to this newspaper that her husband returned with some of the money the thief fled with and another portion was collected by persons who work at the neighbouring store.

Up to press time, Danny Sankar and the Police were still searching the area for the suspect.

22-Y-0 shot, robbed in Tucville

March 17, 2016

Guns and ammunition recovered at Soesdyke

Gunmen rob Wales Estate official, family held at gunpoint

Smyth Street man executed

– suspect believed to be gunman held

Former robbery accused, O’Riley Small, was riddled with bullets by a gunman dressed in a ‘hoodie’ in his Smyth Street, Georgetown yard around 03.30 hrs yesterday.
Small, 31, of Lot 2 Smyth Street, was shot at least ten times just as he returned home after a night out at one of the city night spots. He was pronounced dead at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
According to information received, Small had just entered his yard through the front gate and was walking through a dark pathway at the side of the house to get to the back of the property when a man, dressed in a hooded T-shirt, confronted him.
There are reports that the father of one said, “Hey boy move from deh” to the gunman who then opened fire.
Small reportedly tried to flee, but slipped and fell. This newspaper understands that as Small lay on the ground, the hooded shooter stood above him and pumped several bullets into him. He died on the spot.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that police have detained two suspects and have impounded a car. He declined to suggest a possible motive for the killing.

Executed: O’Riley Small

Small’s relatives gathered at his home yesterday

Kaieteur News understands that one of the suspects, known as ‘Max,’ is believed to be the gunman. Police reportedly arrested him at a city hotel and bar after finding a hooded garment similar to the gunman’s in his car.
The suspect is reportedly employed as an armed security guard at the same hotel and bar at which he was detained. A source said that Small had also worked at the same bar.
Several relatives and friends gathered at Small’s home yesterday as they learnt about his death.
His aunt, Gail Ann Edwards, said that she was awakened by the sound of gunshots and then heard her nephew’s screams.
“When we run out we see he (Small) lying in blood. He was dead already,” his aunt lamented.
Relatives could not say if Small had any problems with anyone.
“All that we know is that the neighbour said that they saw a silver-grey car was parked there (in close proximity to the house). We can’t say if it was waiting on him or what,” the aunt said.
When asked if Small had any problem with the law, his relatives said that the father of one was a loving and jovial person who was always targeted by the police.
“The police always harass him. We had to go the media and so to get this harassment to stop. When any robbery happened, they (police) always coming to pick him up and then they hold he for 72 hours and loose he,” a relative said.
In January 2010, Small was shot when a gunman opened fire and killed one of his friends, Vibert Weekes, a short distance away from the popular “Red Dragon” night club on Robb Street.
There are reports that a bet of $100,000 made between Small and the gunman cost Weekes his life.
In January 2012, Small was remanded to prison on an attempted murder charge.
The allegation was that on January 9, 2012, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded New York-based Guyanese Felix Alleyne, who lost one of his kidneys after Small shot him.
That case was subsequently dismissed after Alleyne refused to testify in the case.
In June 2012, Small, a former footballer was shot three times at a football match by a gunman who approached him from behind.
In November 2013, he was among three who were jointly charged with break and enter and larceny committed on Central Electronics located on Robb Street, Georgetown.
It was alleged that they stole $9.2M worth of items, including a flat screen television set and a metal safe, along with cash.
Some have suggested that Small may have been slain for his alleged role as an informant.
In February, 2013, three bandits were shot dead by police, while attempting to enter the premises of businessman Wayne Heber at Premnaranjan Place, Prashad Nagar. Relatives of Leon Gittens, one of the slain men, alleged that O’ Riley Small had come to Gittens’ home and called him out that night.

Elusive bandit nabbed after jumping into trench

After being on the run for just over 24 hours and managing to elude capture on a few occasions a bandit who had robbed a popular New Amsterdam businessman and his wife on Tuesday evening was fished out of a trench like an alligator.
The man was captured around 21:00 hrs in trench at Angoy’s Avenue after he was cornered on a motor bike which had arrived to take him to safety. The bandit after being ambushed and dealt some blows, plunged into a trench and remained there for a considerable length of time until the police came and rescued him from the angry residents.
The bandit who reportedly hails for Ruimveldt in Georgetown had pounced upon the E and B General Merchandise and Candy Shop situated at Lot 12/13 Strand, New Amsterdam, next to the New Amsterdam market.
That business is operated by Danny Sankar, called “Dutty Dan”, and his wife, Babita Sankar.
The thief who was unmasked and armed with a handgun had made his move around 18:45 hrs just about the time the proprietors were about to lock up.
The man had opened fire three times, one on a friend of the business couple who was helping them pack up, once at Babita and the third time at Danny, all from close range. Luckily he missed all three.
The bandit escaped with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth in cash, jewelry and phone cards
Danny Sankar, who had left to collect his car, was just returning with his vehicle. At the same time the thief was escaping so the man accelerated his vehicle and chased after the bandit through Chapel Street and was shot at, but the bandit missed.
Sankar however managed to strike the thief at least four times with his vehicle causing a bend on the bumper.
On the last occasion the bag the bandit was carrying with the money burst and some of the cash fell out. As he was about to turn around to tackle the supposedly injured bandit, the thief scaled a fence and disappeared in a yard.
The police were informed and responded in a timely manner with the SWAT team, patrols and crime scene detectives. However the man managed to elude capture by hiding in a drain, a toilet and an empty cinema. He reportedly spent most of the time in a dirty alleyway.
He had during his escape run and left behind a haversack, a toque and a pack of cigarettes.
He was reportedly seen crawling out early in the morning, but before the police could arrive he was whisked away in a vehicle to a house in Fort Ordnance.
Subsequent checks at the house found a pair of muddy boots which were soaked to be washed.  The man was not there. The occupant of that house was arrested and taken into custody.
Although injured, the man spent most of Wednesday moving from place to place in his effort to elude capture.
Further intelligence led his pursuers to Angoy’s Avenue where he was captured.
He has reportedly confessed to the crime and told investigators he was sent to do a job. He did not know who the man was that he was going to rob. He took investigators back to the locations where he reportedly hid during the night. He also told investigators that he lost everything and threw away the gun during the night. Neither the gun nor the money was found.
He is expected to be charged shortly.
Sankar had informed the media that it was the fourth time that he has been robbed. He had stated that he had applied three times for a licensed firearm, but on each occasion he was denied. He has been operating his business on large a scale for about 25 years now.

Bandits shoot, rob hotel patron

March 21, 2016

POLICE report that at about 23:45hrs on Saturday, two men pretending to be customers entered a Campbellville hotel, pulled out firearms and held up 31-year-old Rondell Orlando who was at the bar with two other men. They relieved him of US$3,000, Gy$40,000 and two cell phones before escaping in a waiting vehicle.

Orlando was shot to his left side during the incident, and has been admitted to hospital, but investigations are continuing.

And on Sunday, police ranks conducting a search on a man at the Itaballi checkpoint in Mazaruni, unearthed an unlicensed 9mm pistol with seven rounds.

He has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

Bandits shoot Mexican tourist at hotel

MARCH 21, 2016 | BY KNEWS | FILED UNDER NEWS 

A 31-year-old Mexican man, had his Guyanese vacation spoiled when robbers shot him at around 23:45 hrs on Saturday at a hotel in Campbellville.
The attackers escaped with US$3,000, GY$40,000 and two cell phones.
The victim, Rondell Orlando is being treated at a private hospital, nursing a gunshot wound to his left side. He is expected to undergo surgery soon.
Police in a release said that two men entered the hotel and pretended to be customers during which they pulled out a firearm and held up Orlando and two others at the hotel’s bar.

Injured: Rondell Orlando

The 31-year-old man was shot in the process and the perpetrators escaped in a waiting car.
At the hospital yesterday, a friend of the wounded man who was also a victim of the robbery said that they were hanging out when the robbery occurred.
He explained that the robbers entered the hotel while a third accomplice stayed outside. He added that about two minutes later, the two men demanded that everyone lie on the floor.
Orlando, this newspaper was told, took a while before he got down on the floor, since he only speaks Spanish. “That’s when they shoot him,” the friend said.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance camera at the hotel.
It is Orlando’s first time in Guyana.

Just when we thought that crime was on the way down, the pnc supporters prove that they too have to earn a living. 

Bandits shoot bus driver and delivery man in separate robberies

Bandits shot Linden bus driver Elvin Lorrimer and wounded a Royal Castle delivery man during separate robberies in Hadfield Street and Garnett Street, Campbellville last night.
Lorrimer, 53, of Kara Kara, Linden, was shot in the chest at around 20.00 hrs while sitting in his vehicle at the Linden bus park in Georgetown. He reportedly sustained at least two gunshot wounds, and was said to be undergoing surgery at press time.
There are reports that Lorrimer, who is also a pastor, was wounded when he resisted his attacker.
An eyewitness said that she was standing nearby when she heard a gunshot. She then saw Lorrimer lying on the roadside.
According to the woman, she then heard another gunshot, and saw two men on a motorcycle riding in the direction of the Stabroek Market area.
Lorrimer was then rushed to the GPHC, where his condition is listed as critical.
His distraught wife said that the father of four has been working as a minibus driver for some 18 years and has a church at Moblissa, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
He left home at around 09.30 hrs yesterday. She received word of the attack from an individual who plies his trade at the Linden bus park.
In another brazen robbery last night, Satycharran Karran, a 36-year-old Royal Castle employee, was shot in the left hand and the leg while making a delivery in Garnett Street, Campbellville.
The robbers made off with Karran’s CG motorcycle

This is the life for Indians in a Black governed society. Especially living in a Black area.

Robbery victim pleads with police for assistance

Imagine trying to earn an honest dollar at the age of 62. For a man, it might seem normal

Some of the padlocks that were cut by the thieves.

but when a woman that age has to stay awake all night to guard someone else’s property, it can be terrifying, especially, when her own home is being broken into almost every  night when she is at work.
This is the scary experience Bibi Baksh, a Hill Street, Albouystown resident is faced with daily.
While she is at work, she has to be wondering whether her house is being sabotaged. Almost every week, she has to buy new padlocks for her door.
On Saturday, Baksh visited this newspaper in tears and related her ordeal. She said that thieves tried to break into her home that morning.
Yesterday, the woman returned to Kaieteur News and claimed that that same night, thieves tried to break into her home again while she was at work. This is mostly being done by people in the village.
Baksh explained that after her husband passed away several years ago, her house was destroyed by a fire. It is suspected that someone in the village set the place on fire.
The woman claimed that since the fire, she worked and gradually repaired the bottom flat of the property where she currently resides with her son.

Baksh shows the door the bandits tried to break to gain entry into her house.

“I don’t trouble anyone in that place because I know what type of people they are. I go to work and I come home,” Baksh said.
In 2014, bandits emptied her home. “They took everything except the fridge. They didn’t even leave underwear for me to wear. All my clothes they went with.”
She said that she worked and even purchased a few items on hire purchase. “It’s not easy to know when most people sleeping in the night, I have to work and then these people (thieves) coming for the little money I work for.”
She explained that because of her age, no one is willing to employ her so she does not have any other choice but to continue working as a security guard at her company.
For last week, thieves tried to go into her home more than four times. “I was at work and I heard that someone trying to break into my home and I call and sent my son, who lives about four houses away. When he go, he see the boy and they (thieves) tried to shoot him. It hurts me to know I could have cost my son his life.”
Last Saturday, she left home around 07:00 hrs to run an errand. When she returned home, someone had again tried to enter the house by cutting one of the padlocks.
“Imagine, I went to tell Courts that I wouldn’t be able to pay them this month and by the time I reach home, people done try to break in my house. I am so sick and tired of this. I don’t know what else to do,” she cried.
This woman has visited the Police Stations more than anyone could imagine. “One time I went to Ruimveldt Police Station and the woman (police) took my information and say that they would send someone. Up to now, no one came.”
She also made a report at the same station last Saturday but the police never visited her home.
The Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
The woman is pleading for the police’s intervention.

Cummings Lodge man stabbed with scissors during robbery

– Suspect in custody

A Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was stabbed multiple times Tuesday night by a man, who tried to rob him in the village.
Navindra Boodhoo, a Government Technical Institute (GTI) student, is hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing injuries.
According to reports, Boodhoo was heading home with his girlfriend when he was confronted by a bandit. The two had a confrontation during which the bandit pulled out a pair of scissors and stabbed him.
Residents rushed to Boodhoo’s aid and took him to the hospital where he remains a patient. The residents also apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the police.
He is currently in custody at the Sparendaam Police Station.
Kaieteur News understands that ranks at the Turkeyen Police Station have been receiving reports of a number of robberies in the Cummings Lodge area.

Crabwood Creek murder baffles investigators

Investigators in Berbice are examining several theories as they continue to probe the murder of 78 year old Crabwood Creek resident, Khublall Gomes.
The pensioner’s body was discovered around 21:30 hours on Tuesday with wounds to the head and plastic handcuffs wrapped tightly around the throat.
His entire house was ransacked and his licensed shotgun was missing.
While investigators are certain that Gomes was robbed, they are looking at other theories that point towards a planned murder disguised as a robbery.
Police say the victim, Khublall Gomes, was found lying in his hammock in the bottom flat of his two-storey home. The front door to the upper flat appeared to have been forced open and the premises ransacked.
A male relative reportedly made the grisly discovery when he was passing Gomes’ home and observed that the front gate was open. After calling for Gomes and getting no response, the relative summoned neighbours. They then went into the yard and discovered Gomes’ body.
Kaieteur News understands that Gomes lived with a female companion, but that the woman has been in Suriname for the past two weeks.
“The police are looking at all the theories. We learnt that he had a large sum of cash in the house but we are awaiting the arrival of his son from Minesota; only he could help de police now,” a source in Berbice told Kaieteur News.
This newspaper also understands that investigators are looking at a murder for hire theory involving another close family member.
Gomes’ murder has increased the number of murders in the Ancient County to 13 so far for the year, by far the highest amount for any one police division.

Biker detained in executed bus driver probe

Police have detained a biker who they believe helped a gunman to escape following last Monday’s execution-style killing of minibus driver Elvin Lorrimer.

Elvin Lorrimer

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that the suspect was detained on Wednesday, and that investigators have impounded his CG motorcycle, while bore no licence plates.
Police had indicated that Lorrimer appeared to have been “deliberately targeted,” since the killer and his accomplice seemed to have made no attempt to take their victim’s cash, jewellery and other valuables.
One report is that Lorrimer, who was also a pastor, had a dispute with an individual who owed him money. Another report is that he had indentified two bandits on a CG bike, who had committed a robbery in the vicinity of the Linden minibus park in Hadfield Street.
Police said that Lorrimer, 53, of 184 Carter Road, Kara Kara, Linden, was standing on Hadfield Street, near the Linden Bus Park, at around 21.00 hrs, when two men rode up on a motorcycle. One of them discharged rounds at Lorrimer, before riding away with his accomplice. The victim was hit to his chest and left foot and was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed.
Eyewitnesses said that one of the killers was brown in complexion while his accomplice was fair-complexioned. They reportedly both wore dark clothing and their CG motorcycle reportedly had no licence plates.
According to eyewitness reports, the men rode up to Lorrimer and the pillion rider immediately shot the bus driver. There are reports that the gunman rifled through Lorrimer’s pockets as he lay on the roadway, before escaping with his accomplice.
An eyewitness had told Kaieteur News that she was standing nearby when she heard a gunshot. She then saw Lorrimer lying on the roadside. According to the woman, she then heard another gunshot, and saw two men on a motorcycle riding in the direction of the Stabroek Market area.

Store owner shoots thief in buttocks

A thief is hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after being shot in the buttocks by a store owner during a botched robbery around 21:30 hrs Wednesday.
Police have identified the suspect as a 35-year-old of ‘D’ Field Sophia, Georgetown. He is under police custody.
Police in a release said that the suspect broke into Lisa’s General Store on Charlotte Street, Georgetown and during a confrontation with the owner, who is a licenced firearm holder, he was shot to his buttocks.
When this newspaper visited the store yesterday afternoon, the owner was not around.
Kaieteur News was told that the suspect was caught breaking into the store by the owner, who had just arrived at the location. The Sophia resident was shot when he tried to escape. He was taken to the hospital by the police.
When this newspaper visited the hospital yesterday, he was in the theatre.
Investigations are ongoing.

C’tyne man badly chopped by intruders

–  one in custody
A 27-year-old Corentyne resident was yesterday morning attacked and badly injured after armed bandits broke and entered the home which he shares with his wife and children at Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice.
The injured man’s name has been given as Yufraj Ramphal. According to reports, the family was at home when three men, two of whom Ramphal reportedly recognized, broke into their home and carried out the shocking attack.
The man’s wife Bibi Afeeza, who is reportedly pregnant, was also hit on her head by a metal pipe by one of the intruders. Ramphal was chopped on his forearm, head and upper arm, while one of his fingers was severed.
This is reportedly the third time that the family has been attacked.
One man has been arrested and is in custody as investigations continue.

Corentyne man chopped by intruders, one in custody

A Corentyne resident was on Thursday morning attacked and badly injured by about three armed bandits who broke and entered his home which he shares with his wife and children at Belvedere, Corentyne Berbice.
The injured man, Yufraj Ramphal, 27, was at home with his wife when the home invaders some of whom he recognized broke into their home, and carried out the attack.
The man’s wife, Bibi Afreeza, who is reportedly pregnant and was also at home with the children, was hit on her head with a metal pipe by one of the intruders.
Ramphal was chopped on his forearm, head and upper arm. One of his fingers was severed.
This is reportedly the third time that the family has been attacked.
One man has been arrested and is in custody as the investigation continues.

Dredge Owner fatally shot by Ex-Police officer

Feroz Khan, 29, of Fourth Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven, was shot by his employee and former member of

Dead: Feroz Khan

the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Shawn Sandy, on Thursday last.
The incident occurred some time around 15:00hrs at King Buoy Hole, Mazaruni.
The police said that 40-year old Sandy, of Alexander Village, Georgetown, allegedly found a handgun and was showing it to Khan when a round was discharged.
The round struck Sandy on his right hand and Khan, to his abdomen. Khan was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital while Sandy was admitted to the hospital under police guard.  Investigations are currently ongoing.
However, relatives of the deceased are not convinced that the shooting was accidental since they said, Sandy gave “different versions” of the story to the police.
“Sandy told the police that he found the gun, a 9mm pistol, in a clump of bushes and was cleaning the barrel when it went off. One time he said that Feroz go to chop him and he shot him. He (Sandy) called Feroz wife and told her that he shot and killed Feroz. The police called her in for questioning (Saturday),” a cousin of the deceased man said yesterday.
Khan was laid to rest yesterday morning. The post mortem (PM) report, according to the relative, revealed that Khan died from ruptured lungs. This, she said, resulted from the “explosive shots” that were used.
Khan is survived by his two children and his pregnant wife.