Slackness in crime prevention continue to be a hallmark of the PNC administration as jackass Granger bury his head in the sand.

CG stalker attacks teen girl at Lowlands …mother urges swift action by police

June 3, 2016

What a wonderful job the PNC police are doing. According to the propagandists mars, django, gilly et al, crime is dropping rapidly under the PNC.

Steve Smith shortly after he was robbed

Reporters shot at while chasing bandit …another robbed, beaten

June 3, 2016

 

IT was chaos in the city on Friday afternoon when two journalists decided to chase a gunman who had just robbed a United States (US) based Guyanese man in the vicinity of the St. George’s Cathedral. The journalists who were involved in the high-speed chase have been identified as Kurt Campbell and Iva Wharton. They were shot at by the gunman, but fortunately escaped unhurt. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the two media operatives decided to pursue the yellow get-away taxi with licence plate number HC3085 after witnessing the robbery.
Campbell told this newspaper that he observed the armed man clad in a grey t – shirt, blue pants and orange cap had attacked a man, who later identified himself as Steve Smith. Smith is a Guyanese citizen, who is visiting from the United States.
This newspaper understands that he had just left a city bank and was walking along Carmichael Street when the armed man pounced on him. Smith put up a fight, but was overpowered by the bandit, who managed to escape with $90,000.
According to Campbell, he and Wharton were driving in the vicinity at the time and decided to pursue the vehicle. Campbell recalled that they drove through several traffic lights in order to stay close behind the speeding car and immediately made contact with ‘A’ Division Commander, Clifton Hicken, who alerted police patrols.
But things took a turn for the worse when the armed man, who was at this time wearing a mask, exited the car at Crown and Oronoque Streets and opened fire on the vehicle the journalists were driving. However, the journalists did not stop and continued to trail the men when a police patrol subsequently arrived and took over the chase. Both Campbell and Wharton were commended for their bravery by Commander Hicken.
Meanwhile, another reporter, Leroy Smith, who is attached to the Newsroom, was pursuing a stabbing incident at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara Friday morning when he was reportedly beaten and robbed.
Smith, in a Facebook post, revealed that he was robbed of his cash, cellphone and camera.

Looks like Lall is trying to stir up some controversy with a setup of a disabled grenade, the newspaper creating its own news when things slow. 

Grenade thrown at KN publisher’s vehicle

Jun 05, 2016 News 0 Comments

Police were last night summoned to the Kaieteur News Saffon Street offices after unidentified individuals hurled a grenade under a vehicle belonging to owner and publisher Glenn Lall.

The grenade near to one of the front wheel of Mr. Lall’s vehicle

The incident occurred shortly after 22.00 hrs, and Mr. Lall’s vehicle, a Lexus, was parked on the western side of Saffon Street.
Mr. Lall and other staffers were outside the Kaieteur News building participating in a wake for Assistant Editor Dale Andrews, when a security staffer heard an unusual sound near Mr. Lall’s vehicle.
Thinking at first that someone had shattered one of the windows, the staffer checked the vehicle, but observed no damage. However, on checking the front of the Lexus, the staffer spotted the grenade lying near one of the front tyres.
The police were immediately notified.
At press time, demolition personnel were still to remove the device.

Farmer arrested in shooting incident

June 5, 2016

Paradise under the PNC/AFC.

Bandits target East Berbice Chinese restaurant

June 6, 2016

Bandits invade Farm home, take $$$ in items including dentures

Jun 07, 2016 News 0 Comments

To say Maywah Jaisingh feels violated would be an understatement. The distraught man

Three of the broken vaults.

yesterday visited this publication to share how troubled he is over the fact that persons, thus far unknown, broke into his home and carted off almost $10 million worth of items.

“They nearly clean me out,” said the man as he showcased on his phone photographs of how bandits left his place “trashed” as they had removed items of value from his Lot 10 Bougainville, Farm, East Bank Demerara home.
In addition to removing appliances, the bandits also broke into three vaults to gain access to millions of dollars in jewellery. They even carried away Jaisingh’s dentures and underwear. The bandits, according to Jaisingh, also took a quantity of foreign liquor and even drank a few beers and snacked while carrying out their dastardly act.
“They drink; they even made cheese sandwiches and what they couldn’t eat they just throw away in the house,” the man related.
During a visit to the Saffon Street, Georgetown office of this publication, Jaisingh in the company of his wife, Babita Kumarie, said that while he lived abroad for a number of years he returned eight years ago.
The re-migrant, however, would travel to the US for short periods. It was during a recent visit to the US that his home was invaded. According to the man he and his family (including two children) left for the US on May 25 with the intent of returning on June 2.
But something untoward was observed a few days after the family left. According to Jaisingh, he was informed that his newspaper man, while dropping off papers, last week Tuesday discovered that his front door and gate were ajar. The newspaper man relayed his concerns to a neighbour who in turn got someone to make contact with Jaisingh in the US.

A jacket left behind by the bandit (s).

According to Jaisingh, on learning of the development he contacted his maid who visited the home and reported the break-in to the police. The man informed that although no one is ever asked to stay in the house, this is the first time that such an incident has ever occurred.
Upon his return, the man said that he was shocked to see his house ransacked. The man said that he observed that the bandits got access by removing the bolts of a grill in order to get through a window. The man said that a lock on the front door was also broken. This might have been how the bandits exited with their booty.
“They probably tried to carry out the vaults but couldn’t and so they broke them right in the house…they couldn’t open the door big enough to carry out the television otherwise those might have been gone too,” said Jaisingh.
According to the man, the police, as part of their investigation, visited his home took photographs and dusted for finger prints. “They told me that they think they got at least three sets of finger prints,” said Jaisingh who expressed disappointment that his DVR for his Closed Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) was destroyed by the bandits.
“They cut the DVR and they put it in a sink and they open the water on it…the police said that they would have to check it in the crime lab,” said Jaisingh who revealed that a jacket was left behind which he hopes could help police to determine who the perpetrators are.
While the incident has stirred Jaisingh suspicion, he noted that he will give the police force a fair chance to solve the case.

Body with stab wound found on Mahdia roadway

Jun 07, 2016 News 0 Comments

Police are investigating what appears to be a seventh murder at an interior location for the year.

The body of Romel Daniels, 25, of Campbelltown, Mahdia, was found around 03.40 hrs on a roadway at Mahdia.
The corpse bore what appeared to be a stab wound.
A release stated that police made the discovery after responding to reports that a man was lying motionless on a roadway in the vicinity of Dadagoo Shop in Mahdia.
Homicide detectives and crime scene investigators responded to the scene to collect evidence and canvas the area for potential witnesses.
No arrests have been made and investigators are asking for the community’s help for any information pertaining to the homicide.
The body is at the Mahdia Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.
There have been seven murders so far in ‘F’ Division.
The victims include Police Sergeant 16934 Leonard La Rose, 52, who was stabbed to death at Matthew’s Ridge Hospital, while attempting to arrest a suspect.

Man wrests gun from shooter, hands it to cops

Jun 07, 2016 News 0 Comments

Police are in possession of a .38 snub-nosed revolver and two spent shells they recovered from one of two men who were involved in a fight at Kanaruk, Mahdia.

The incident reportedly occurred yesterday.
A police release stated that Festus Benn and Gary Boucher had an argument that escalated into a fight, during which Boucher, who allegedly had the firearm, discharged two rounds. He missed.
Benn managed to take away the weapon and promptly handed it over to the law enforcers. Boucher is currently in custody.
Meanwhile, police on Sunday recovered a firearm from a minibus passenger at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
A release stated that at around 14.10hrs, police, acting on information intercepted a route 42 mini bus, on Providence Public Road.
During a search of one of the occupants, the ranks found a .32 pistol along with eight live .32 rounds tucked in the passenger’s pants waist.
The man was taken into custody and charges will be instituted shortly.

This is Granger's paradise:

Ramdai Janet Dorie, 64, stands in front of her incomplete home

Ruthless thieves killing Dorie’s house-ownership dreams

June 8, 2016

 

By Telesha Ramnarine

SIXTY-four-year-old Ramdai Janet Dorie could not hold back the tears as she reflected on how hard she worked to save every dollar towards building her own home. These were not tears of joy however – they represented the anguish she felt in her heart over those who have been ruthlessly stealing materials off of her house. Dorie’s house is located at Block B, Mocha Road Third Bridge, Herstelling Housing Scheme, on the East Bank Demerara; an area that is still being developed so there are tall bushes, no street

The virtually impassable street leading to Dorie’s house

lights and few houses that people have actually occupied.

Since there is hardly anything that Ms. Dorie can do about this unfortunate situation and she cannot think of any agency that might be willing to provide any practical assistance to her; she then resorted to writing to President David Granger and to a few news agencies, including the Guyana Chronicle.

In addition, another option she explored was finding a company that may be able to install a security system at her house that can monitor the activities there when she is not around. This proved too costly and Dorie had no choice but to abandon the idea.

The elderly woman, in an interview at the Chronicle on Tuesday, expressed her hopelessness in tears, along with some amount of optimism that something good may come out of the fact that her plight is being highlighted.

Dorie is eager to have the house completed, having saved enough to secure a bank loan with which she started works. But the project is stalled every time the thieves break in.

$1.6M in LOSSES
For the four times that the bandits have broken in so far, Dorie estimates her losses to be around $1.6M. “Many other persons have the same problem in the area. About two streets away from me, a woman lost 52 sacks of cement. I’m confused at the moment. I’m trying to see how much I can save in the meantime so I can resume work.”

The last time the bandits struck was on the night of the jubilee celebrations and after the police were summoned, they told Dorie that they could not obtain fingerprints as they were smudged. “They caught one of the thieves but the people in the area don’t want to come forward; they don’t want to become a target.”

SAVING FOR 20 YEARS
Although Dorie is an educator, poet, writer, author, and ardent sports personality who has played cricket at an international level, she said she currently sells a few items on the streets, including clothing, to make a living.

“Sometimes I don’t buy clothes and food for myself. I make sacrifices like the old people say, ‘Cut your eye and tie your belly.’ I sell little things on the streets. Sometimes I help a friend do some work and she gives me some money. I have been saving, saving all my money and I went to the bank and they gave me a loan so I was able to build my house.”

Dorie is also a diabetic and has issues with her cholesterol. “I have to pay for my own medical bills and I don’t go in anyone’s way to beg or thief. I work assiduously to save my money. I have been saving for the house over 20 years and working very hard. If you see my hands; they are hard, corny.”

Meanwhile, in a letter to the editor, Dorie said in part that she worked along with the contractor through blood, sweat and tears until thieves started stealing doors, windows, and many other items off of the house.

PLEA
“The stress has now become extremely unbearable. Apart from losing materials, risking to lose my house to the bank, my life is at risk for I am a senior citizen who has numerous medical conditions. In addition, I have no husband, no children, and even no neighbour. Only bushes and more bushes and I am desperate!

“People are seeing but are helpless, since there is no telephone line, no street light, and only bushes where thieves take refuge. I had to put on my own street light and should you visit me, you can feel the hauntedness around the area.

“During the day, you can see a lot of strange faces ‘susing’ out their victims. It seems as though they speculate during the day and they strike during the night with their waiting vehicles. It is alleged that they sell stolen articles to those who are building. As such, I suggest that heavier penalties be levied to those buyers.

“I call upon all those in position to look into this matter as early as possible. Upon reading this letter, I wish that someone may call me and see how they can help, for I have lost far more than I can afford to deal with the bank. I am desperate. Please. I plead for help.”

Policeman among three in custody

Jun 11, 2016 News 0 Comments

A policeman is under close arrest and is among three persons in custody as investigation continues into the shooting of a New Amsterdam man. The victim was shot in both legs above the thighs by a gang of men who allegedly took him from his home and interrogated him over some missing drugs.

Andrew Adams, 21, a labourer of Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam was shot in both legs above the thighs by a gang of men after he was accused of stealing a quantity of drugs from them some time before.
Adams, a labourer, was allegedly collected from his home around 07:00 hrs Tuesday morning and first taken to New Forest, East Canje before being taken to Calabash Creek where he was brutalized by the men and shot before being dumped out of the car.
The matter was reported and the police went in search of the injured man who was located and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where he was admitted for surgery before being transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further medical intervention.
Investigations are ongoing and the police are looking for the mastermind.

Hope you have business interruption insurance.

Not me boy, I ain't into that type of business. But I have to give props to the PNC for cracking down. 

Family of thieves spread misery at Good Hope

Jun 13, 2016 News 0 Comments

– car stolen

Michael Basdeo of Good Hope Village on the East Coast of Demerara got the shock of his life when he got out of bed at 05.00 hrs yesterday and found that his house was emptied of valuables and his car was missing.
Noticing also that his back door was open, Basdeo said that he immediately picked up a cutlass and headed downstairs.
Basdeo showed this publication the gap in a window where the burglars had removed three panes.
Basdeo indicated that he raised an alarm in the street but no one responded to his calls for help. This he intimated was because the “Salt Fish” gang would normally use sleeping gas to put their intended victims out cold.
The gang he said, is a family of thieves, who have been doing these types of burglaries for years. According to him, he noted that the thieves robbed six houses in the same street in one night.
Basdeo continued that he rounded up some friends and searched the village but saw no sign of his car or the thieves. He then made a report at the Vigilance Police Station.
He said that detectives lifted prints from the point of entry and a window pane that was left behind.
He stated that after the detectives left, acting upon a hunch, he went to Annandale, East Coast Demerara, where the gang resides, and enquired from the villagers about their whereabouts.

The wrecked car

The window through which the thieves gained entry.

He eventually found his car abandoned in Market Street, Annandale after it was crashed into about six market stands. When this newspaper visited the man’s home, the car was parked under the house and was severely damaged.
After Basdeo discovered his car, he summoned the police and together they went to the home of the suspected thieves. Upon searching the premises they subsequently discovered several of the stolen articles and more loot from other houses.
Basdeo said that the gang comprised about 10 siblings whose ages range from 18-25 and opined that their mother condones their criminal activities.
The police reportedly arrested the mother of the “Salt Fish” gang but the main perpetrators are still at large.
Basdeo told Kaieteur News that while he was able to recover two laptops, some of the other articles are missing, including his flat screen television.
He vowed to take this matter to the highest level in pursuit of justice and compensation.
“My car is how I am able to provide for my family,” he lamented.
Basdeo is a sales executive employed at Sueria Distributors.

Siblings remanded over cocaine in frozen fish

Jun 14, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News 0 Comments

Following the discovery of over 18 pounds of cocaine in frozen fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), a minibus driver and his younger sister were yesterday, remanded to prison after they denied a drug trafficking charge.

Lazena Imrazie

Shafur Alli, 27, of Lot 27 La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara and Lazena Imrazie, 22, of Lot 8 Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara are accused of having 9.044 kilograms of cocaine in their possession on June 8, last, for the purpose of trafficking.
According to reports, ranks of the Police Narcotic Branch intercepted and seized the cocaine in a cargo shipment of frozen fish at the airport. Court facts revealed that the defendants declared 33 boxes of fish to be exported. Routine checks were done on the cargo by the ranks and the cocaine was found concealed inside of the seafood.
Alli and his sister are being represented by Attorneys Peter Hugh and Bernard DaSilva.
Both lawyers made applications for their clients to be released on reasonable bail citing that police have no evidence against them.
The Attorneys are claiming that Alli and Imrazie had no knowledge or possession of the prohibited drug. Hugh told the court that Alli rents a fish plant that is operated by a third party and asserted that he plays no part in the processing of the fish.
Hugh pleaded with Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to consider bail for the duo citing the fact that the police file is still incomplete and that no indications were given to the court as to when the file will be completed.
Hugh said that the female defendant was merely clearing a package on the day in question.

Shafur Alli

During his address to the court, DaSilva also pleaded for bail to be granted to Imrazie, because she had not signed any declaration form associated with the alleged narcotic shipment.
However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones strongly objected to bail for the two. He pointed out that no special reasons were provided by the defence counsels for bail to be considered by the court. Jones said that Imrazie provided conflicting addresses.
Jones explained that at the time of the woman’s arrest she told police she was residing at the same address as her brother. The Prosecutor stressed that there is a likelihood that she might not return to court for trial if released on bail.
But Attorney DaSilva explained that the housewife would frequently visit her brother’s house but has her matrimonial home located at Goed Fortuin, where she resides with her husband and five-month-old baby.
According to the lawyers, none of the defendants have previous or pending matters before the court.
Prosecutor Jones indicated that investigations are still ongoing in relation this matter.
His bail objections were upheld by the Chief Magistrate who ordered that the defendants be remanded to prison until July 7, when the matter will be called for report and fixtures.

Businessman accused of bribing police to release seized narcotics

Jun 14, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News 0 Comments

– released on $200,000 bail

A businessman was yesterday charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice after he allegedly offered police a bribe to secure the release of narcotics seized.
Tazim Gafoor, of Menzies Street, Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara is accused of committing the offence on June 8, at Craig, East Bank Demerara.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on $200,000 bail.
Attorney Glenn Hanoman told the court that his client operates an automotive store at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Bank Demerara. The Attorney petitioned for Gafoor to be admitted to bail citing the fact that he had been kept in custody beyond the 72-hour period.
Hanoman explained that his client was arrested last Wednesday and police insisted on keeping him in custody although he was indicted on a bailable offence.
The lawyer said that he reminded the police of his client’s constitutional rights and signaled his intentions to seek compensation.
However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones opposed bail for the defendant citing the gravity of the charge. Jones said that George is still being investigated by police as they believe he is the mastermind behind trafficking in narcotics.
The prosecutor pointed out that the defendant attempted to bribe police on a sting operation.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan admitted Gafoor to bail and instructed him not to go within 50 feet of the witnesses until the completion of the matter.
This matter will be called again on July 6.