Finally Kaiteur news ketch sense and putting crime back on the front page.

$21M in cash, jewellery taken as…Heavily-armed 15-man gang storms cambio dealer’s home…No police response despite 40-minute ordeal

Dec 13, 2016 News 0 Comments

– Ex-cop among seven detained

By Malisa Playter Harry
A former policeman and six others were in custody last night as detectives attempt to track down a gang of 15 heavily-armed individuals who escaped with some $21M in cash and jewellery, after launching a military-style, pre-dawn attack at the home of a Number 79 Village, Corentyne cambio dealer.
The bandits, who were armed with assault rifles, shotguns and cutlasses, used sledgehammers to smash their way into the Lot 93 Albert Street home of businessman Devendra Churaman, also called “Katak,” shortly after 01:15 hrs yesterday.
Churaman said that the masked men escaped with some $1M in jewellery, but could not say exactly how much money was taken. However, police said the gang made off with $20M in local and foreign currency.
Churaman said that he was told that the gang fled through a nearby track which could take them to canefields in the area.
‘B’ Division Commander Senior Superintendent Errol Watts told Kaieteur News that his ranks have detained seven men, who reside at various areas in Berbice, including Canje and New Amsterdam.
He said that an ex-policeman is among the detainees, most of whom have previous charges for armed robbery.
The suspects have already been swabbed for possible traces of gunpowder residue.
Commander Watts said that the suspects were taken into custody “based on evidence received,” and will also be placed on identification parade.
So far, none of the loot has been recovered.
There are reports that while five gunmen entered Churaman’s home, ten others stood guard in the street, while firing shots to keep neighbours at bay.
Shots were also fired directly into Churaman’s home.
Confirming the extent of the gang’s firepower, Deputy Superintendent Gary McAllister said that 21 live 7.62 x 39 rounds (used in the AK-47 rifle), about eight 7.62 x 39 shells; two twelve-gauge shotgun cartridges, and a warhead were retrieved from the scene.
Churaman and several neighbours said that the gunmen took some 20 minutes to enter the residence, and spent another 20 minutes inside.
However, ranks at the Springlands Police Station allegedly took at least an hour and 15 minutes to arrive, despite receiving a number of phone calls from the victim and neighbours while the attack was in progress.
Churaman told Kaieteur News that he was alone when the men smashed their way into his home.
“Dem man tek sledge hammer and bruk meh steel door and front window and come in.
“About five of dem come in meh house with one set ah big big gun and start fire shots”. Churaman stated that the men took approximately 20 minutes to enter his home, during which time he called a police rank from Georgetown. This rank reportedly made contact with the Springlands Station, but no one came.
Springlands Police Station is reportedly located some two minutes away from Churaman’s residence.
“When they (the gunmen) got in, dem start pull out and tumble up, they had me at gunpoint asking for the cash.”
Churaman related to Kaieteur News that he told the bandits that he hadn’t money at home but this angered one of the men, who rushed up to him with a cutlass.
He revealed that the men used a steel hammer to remove a steel door to his bedroom. They also searched another room in the upper flat, where they located an undisclosed sum of money and about $1M in jewellery.
Churaman stated that throughout the ordeal he was ordered to lay face-down with a gun pointed at his head.
The gang also vandalized surveillance cameras on the premises.
Churaman’s wife and two children were not at home at the time of the robbery.
According to a resident, at around 01:45 hrs, “we just hear like gunshots going off. We didn’t know if it was fire rockets, but when my son peep through the window, he saw four persons trying fuh break open the door and front window (of Churaman’s house), so we immediately called the police.”
He said that seven calls were made to the Springlands Police Station, but the ranks said that no patrol was available.
“This ting tek like about twenty minutes, a lot of gunshots were fired, like about sixty, seventy, I can’t really say, but plenty,”
Another resident told Kaieteur News that “I heard the explosions and talking going on. One ah dem (bandits) askin if “alyuh get everything bai?” but I ain’t hear no response, but then I hear ah next one say “let’s move it.”
That is all I hear, because I didn’t come out.
I stay in me house after I hear the gunshots.”
Commander Watts, who visited the scene, said “we discovered twenty-one live 7.62 by 39 rounds of ammunition and we also retrieved cartridge casings, so it clearly tells us that these men were armed with rifles and shotguns.
“Fortunately, the victim was not shot, but several rounds were fired in the area which caused residents to be alarmed.”
Commander Watts also said that a team from Georgetown will be sent to boost the manpower at the Springlands Station.
Asked about the slow response time by his ranks, the Commander said that “we had ranks on the road, but information was not immediate for us to respond to.
I received a call at my residence at 02:50 hrs, and I can confirm this.”
The commander charged that with the increased manpower to support the police in township of Corriverton “this should reassure the public that we are concerned and we have adequate security measures in place to have a crime-free holiday.”

What are the PNC jackasses in power doing to solve crime? They posting statistics showing drops in crime but the reality on the ground says otherwise. 

Attack at 14 Miles Issano… Victim calls for “notorious” gang to be brought to justice

Dec 13, 2016 News 0 Comments

“Notorious” is the word being used to describe the gang of men who attacked, robbed and left 30-year-old Orin Baptiste for dead along the trail at 14 Miles Issano.

The injured Orin Baptiste

Last Wednesday, Baptiste of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot with an arrow, beaten, chopped and left for dead on the trail at the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven location.
He was air-dashed to the city, hours after the attack and was admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he remains a patient.
The man suffered injuries to both arms as well as a gash to his left knee cap which was almost severed. He has since undergone a number of surgeries.
Speaking with this publication from his hospital bed yesterday, Baptiste recalled that he was leaving the area to return to Georgetown, when he was attacked. He had ventured into the interior about two months ago to seek employment.
He explained that while working in the area on a dredge for a man called “Morris, he decided to return home to Georgetown.
“After I finish de work I get couple pennyweight of raw gold. It was me and about three other man and we decide to come out. They come out before me and we meet up.”
“The men,” he said “gave me money to buy some things fuh we eat at a shop. When I come back they ask me to keep dem bags.”
While standing along the trail watching over the bags, Baptiste said that he was attacked.
“All I know is like about six men run pass me. I didn’t tek it for nothing, but then they circle me and one pull a arrow and bow and shoot me. They scramble up the bags and started to beat and chop me. Ah know one of dem though; the one that shoot me with the arrow is an Amerindian man. I know him. I meet he when I de going in the bush and he showed me a shortcut.”
The injured man recalled that the men searched the bags and emptied his pockets before leaving him in a bloodied state along the trail.
He said that he could have been dead if it were not for a few public-spirited citizens on a passing truck. The man recalled that the group of assailants ran off after some people on the truck intervened.
“They run into the bush, but people know them. It look like is this what they does do – beat and rob people in the trail. And because police deh far away from there, it got to be that they does do this thing steady, because the police would tek about five hours before they reach dem,” Baptiste reflected.
From all appearances, the man said, the police have not arrested anyone in connection with the incident.
The injured man expressed his concerns about the investigations.
“One police woman alone come at the hospital to see me since, and she tek down me name alone. She didn’t even look to tek a statement. They had an Amerindian lady in there (14 Miles Issano) that know these people that rob me, and I know the woman,” he explained
The father of one is adamant that his attackers must be found and brought to justice.
“I could have died because I lose a lot of blood, and I wait for almost a whole day before I get to the station and then the hospital. Dem man could have killed me for li’l gold,” he stressed.

Looks like nuff antiman in the police force as this man was strip searched and made to squat repeatedly naked. 

French citizen claims cop strip-searched him at Outpost

Dec 13, 2016 News 0 Comments

Guyana-born French citizen Benn Kenneth Anthony says that he was humiliated and horrified when a local police rank performed a body cavity search on him.

Benn Kenneth Anthony

Anthony claims that he was ordered by a plainclothes policeman to remove his underwear and perform squats during an immigration search at Moleson Creek.
According to him, this happened on November 20, while he was making his way to board the ferry to Suriname en route to French Guiana, where he has been living for two decades.
The 22-year-old man said he reported the matter to the Moleson Creek Police Station.
Anthony recalled that he was taken into an area where he was ordered by the rank to empty his suitcase.
“He didn’t even identify himself to me. But I could recognize him if I see him again. He just lifted up the suitcase and turned it over. When he finished searching the suitcase he asked me if I was ever charged for any offence.”
The man said he replied in the negative and told the rank he came to Guyana to visit his grandmother.
He said the rank patted him down and insisted that he remove his pants and underwear. “He asked me to pull down my pants and I removed it up to my knees. Then he told me to take off my brief (underwear).” He related that he complied with the instructions and was then told to squat twice before given permission to repack his suitcase and leave.
“He found nothing illegal on me,” Anthony stressed.
He said he is still trying to come to grips with what happened.
“I have travelled all over the world and this has never happened to me. Is this something normal for immigration in Guyana? I felt very uncomfortable with him (the rank) in that room.”
“I’m not looking for a problem with police in Guyana. I just want them to stop doing this.”
Anthony added that he is sure other passengers have been subjected to this kind of search and is calling on them to speak out.
“I’m trying to highlight this. I want that rank to be disciplined.”
Anthony stated that when he visited the Police Outpost to report the matter, another rank told him that he could not deal with the matter because the rank who strip-searched him is his superior.
Nevertheless, he stated that a police constable took a statement from him after being instructed by another senior rank, and promised to give him an update on investigations, when he returned to Guyana.
“I come back on December 7 and I see them (the rank that searched him and the constable that took the statement). They both walked past me.”
A copy of the one-page statement dated November 20, 2016 – with the police rank’s regulation number – was seen by Kaieteur News.
“He (the constable) ain’t even sign the statement. He just put he regulation number. I don’t even think that is he regulation number. I don’t even think this statement valid.”
Anthony plans on reporting the incident to the Police Complaints Authority today. He says if a probe is not launched into the matter he will consider taking legal action against the State.
Anthony, who is still in Guyana, has already sought advice from a local attorney. He has also sent a letter detailing what transpired, along with a copy of the statement, to the Ministry of Justice in French Guiana.

Man shot dead in North East La Penitence

Dec 14, 2016 News 0 Comments

– reportedly went to aid of woman who was being robbed

A 26-year-old man was shot dead shortly after 23.00 hrs last night, reportedly while going to the aid of a woman who was being robbed.
Andrew Scott, of North East La Penitence, was shot in the chest and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Kaieteur News understands that the victim’s family owns a shop and had just shut their business when the tragedy occurred.
According to one report, the shooter had attempted to rob a female security guard, but the woman used a knife to ward off the attacker. She reportedly then ran towards the shop that is owned by the victim’s family.
Someone who claimed to be a relative of Scott’s said that he was going to the woman’s rescue when the gunman shot him.
The shooter reportedly escaped in a car.

Gunmen captured after trailing, robbing Tower Hotel’s accountant

Dec 15, 2016 News 0 Comments

• Security guard shot, $2.5M recovered

The two bandits who were captured

Quick action by the police led to the arrest of two armed bandits, yesterday, minutes after they snatched $2.5M from a Tower Hotel accountant after trailing him from a city bank.
A security guard, 63-year-old Balmick Persaud, was shot when he tried to wrestle with one of the men, the pillion rider, who had jumped off a CG motorcycle and confronted the accountant in the hotel’s Main Street, Georgetown compound.
The guard was rushed to a private hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition. The bullet grazed his abdomen. According to information, police who were in the area as part of the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Christmas policing, heard the gunshots and immediately gave chase after seeing the two men on the CG motorcycle acting in a suspicious manner.
The chase led to East Ruimveldt Front Road, where the two men were arrested after running into a house to seek shelter. The police in a press release said that the men had crashed into a trench during their escape bid. In their haste to avoid capture the men left the bag containing the cash in the trench. They also tossed the weapon.
The stolen cash was recovered and up to press time, the cops were searching a nearby trench for the firearm that the bandits had in their possession. According to information received, as the police ranks were pursuing the men, they were shooting at the cops.
At the scene yesterday, one woman said that she was sitting in front of her door when she heard about seven gunshots, followed by a man pointing a gun in her yard.
“I see the man by my gate with a gun peeping in and then he went by the neighbour and arrested the two boys,” the woman said.
She explained that the police also arrested the couple who resided at the property. That property was believed to be a haven for thieves since the gunmen found property from other crime scenes. There were lamps from vehicles also believed to have been stolen.
One of these arrested had been arrested in the past after having been shot during a robbery. On that occasion he was shot in the neck. That near death experience did nothing to have the young man rethink his ways, one woman said.
Investigations are ongoing.

Looks like the PNC can't even protect their own supporters from bandits.

A WISROC, Linden fireman is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital after he was brutally chopped about his body by bandits on Wednesday night.
Masimba Sampson, 30, is now being hailed as a brave man, since he put up a fight against the four bandits who were also armed with a gun. Reports indicate that the perpetrators called Sampson out of his house. Despite being outnumbered, he managed to get the gun from one of the bandits, but was unaware that they were also armed with cutlasses and before he knew it, he was chopped several times about his body, including his face and head.
The bandits then escaped and Masimba made his way to the Wisroc Police Outpost, where he was subsequently rushed to the Linden Hospital but was later transferred to the GPHC. He was bleeding profusely when he was admitted to the hospital. Ranks from the Wisroc Outpost made their way to the home, but came up-empty handed as the bandits had already made good their escape.
A neighbour of the man told this newspaper that the incident occurred around 22:00hrs on Wednesday and he had heard the commotion but did not take it seriously. “I hear the noise last night, but me aint know is chop the boy getting chop up.” Masimba was off duty at the time the incident occurred. Another neighbour revealed that the fireman recently sold a piece of land and perhaps the bandits went after the money. “Hear wah happen, he sell out a set a land behind there, I know he sell two lands to one person, so it got to be dah money them man went after,” he said.

Home owner disarmed , beaten with his own ‘rolling pin’

Dec 16, 2016 News 0 Comments

A 24-year-old man, Randolph Seocharran, of Rising Sun, West Coast Berbice, was yesterday, placed on $120,000 bail, when he appeared in the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court to answer a charge of robbery with violence.
The matter before the court is that on December 13, last, at Plantation Hope, West Coast Berbice, Seocharran entered the dwelling house of Bhagwandin Deonarain, assaulted him and proceeded to rob him of $30,000.
According to Deonarain, he was at home, at Plantation Hope West Coast Berbice, preparing a meal when around 18:30 hours, he heard an unusual sound coming from a section of his house. Upon trying to ascertain where the sound was coming from, the victim said that he observed the accused whom he recognized, climbing into his house. He said that he confronted the intruder with a “rolling pin” which he was using in the kitchen.
The intruder, however was able to disarm the Deonarain, and in turn rained blows on the hapless home owner, using the very ‘rolling pin’ that Deonarain was carrying when he confronted the intruder.
Deonarain was forced to flee his home to escape the blows from the intruder. He was rescued at his gate by a taxi driver. When he checked his house, he discovered that his money was missing.
The matter was reported at the Weldaad Police Station, and Seocharran was subsequently arrested and charged. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was placed on bail to return to court December 29.

In PNC supporters feeling the effect of the incompetency of the police to prevent crime. They claim they solving crime but the people prefer preventing crime.

Qualfon’s contractor robbed, shot during robbery

Dec 17, 2016 News 0 Comments

– Believed to have been trailed from bank
A 42-year-old man was robbed of $4M and shot to both legs around 15:00 hrs yesterday shortly

Kenneth Earle

after he arrived at his Lot 75 Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. He had earlier made a withdrawal from a city bank.
Up to press time, Kenneth Earle, was being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). He is in a stable condition.
The father of four is contracted by Qualfon to provide transportation services to the company’s employees. At the time of the robbery, he had withdrawn money to pay the other drivers who work with him.
According to information received, just as Earle entered his yard with another individual, two gunmen ran into the yard behind them and opened fire at the duo before grabbing the bag containing the cash.
The father of four was shot to both legs while the individual who was with him escaped without any injuries.
Investigators believed that the man was followed from the bank. No one has been arrested as yet.

I notice quite a few blacks being robbed and many of the crimes entailed a the use of a gun. Someone reading this from outside would think there is No Law AND Order and there is civil unrest in the country.Some heads needs to roll, starting from the top.

This is correct, if Indian getting robbed , it is seen as ok as fund raising and retribution must continue for the ruling party.  However when you see blackman being robbed, you know the incompetency of the police is at critical levels. 

Bandits invade supermarket, beat owner

Dec 18, 2016 News 0 Comments

…escape with $300,000
Around 20:30 hrs on Friday, three armed bandits invaded the New World Supermarket at La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and escaped with approximately $300,000 in cash after beating the owner of the

The New World Supermarket

supermarket and his wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Xie were taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where they were treated and sent away.
Friday night’s robbery was the second attack on the Chinese’s supermarket since it opened at Lot 12 Independence Street, La Grange last September.
While the bandits escaped with the supermarket’s DVR (digital video recorder), their movements were captured on a nearby camera.
They arrived at the premises in silver grey Fielder wagon bearing registration number, HC 1483.
Dhaniram Persaud said that the Chinese couple is renting his son, Danosh Persaud’s apartment downstairs of the property.
The man said that he was sitting on his verandah when he noticed a young man entering the supermarket.
Shortly after, he heard the shutters being pulled down.
Persaud said that after 15 minutes, the men came out the supermarket with a suitcase and a box. “I ask them if that’s the work they doing and one of them ask me if I good and I picked up a big spindle to fling at them but it couldn’t reach so far.”
The man said that while the robbery was happening, he didn’t get a chance to call the police because he panicked.
Kaieteur News was informed that when the bandits entered the supermarket, they started harassing Mr. and Mrs. Xie and their three sales staff.
Reports are that the day before the robbery, the Chinese couple had purchased stocks for the store.
“When they started beating the people for the money, they telling them that they already spend the money but the boys them beating them for money,” a source said.
Kaieteur News was told that the men, believing it was money, escaped with a suitcase and a box but it actually contained papers and personal documents.
No one has been arrested as yet.

Teen mother gets throat slit by estranged lover

Dec 18, 2016 News 0 Comments

A 19-year-old mother, Michelle Baker, of Lot 90, Mitchell Street, “B” Field South Sophia, is recovering from a wound allegedly inflicted by her former lover.

Jason Henry and Michelle Baker with their son Jaydon.

According to Baker, the incident occurred on Tuesday last. She said that she was assaulted by the father of her one-year-old son, Jaydon. Baker identified her former lover as Jason Henry also of “B” Field Sophia.
The woman told Kaieteur that on Tuesday morning, at approximately 7:00 am, Henry reportedly came to her residence for pampers and milk for Jaydon, since it is normal that the baby would spend weekends with his father.
However, when Baker brought out the milk and pampers for Henry, he accused her of not hugging and kissing their son. She reportedly told him it was not possible with the baby bag in her hand. After Henry collected the baby’s bag, he allegedly grabbed Baker by her arm and said, “You got time for other men but ain’t got time for your son”.
Baker said that she screamed for Henry to let go of her arm. The angry man then told her, “You get brave” and threatened to kill her.
After Henry and the child left, Baker said that she called her mother, Paula Thomas, in hysteria about what had transpired between her and Henry. Thomas reportedly advised her to go to Turkeyen Police Station and make a report. At the station, Baker was advised to proceed to Vigilance Police Station to get a restraining order against Henry.
At Vigilance Police Station, Baker was reportedly told that she cannot have a restraining order against Henry since they are not living together and unless he is continuously threatening her, only then she will be able to obtain such.
While returning home from Vigilance Police Station, Baker was allegedly attacked by Henry, who at the time had a knife which he reportedly used to cut her throat. The duo was reported to have been in a scuffle before Baker’s mother realized that it was her daughter’s screams that she was hearing outside.
After a lad from the area attempted to part the two, Henry reportedly threw away the knife and ran away. He has not been seen or heard from since.
However, it was not until Baker and her mother carried her bloodied clothes to Vigilance Police Station did they receive a restraining order. The restraining order states that Henry must not be within 500ft of Baker and to have no contact with her.
Baker was treated for her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Follow up on cambio robbery, looks like one of Grangers angels. 

18-yr-old remanded for robbing Berbice Cambio dealer

Dec 20, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News 0 Comments

…prosecutor says charges pending for others

Clive Vanlewin, who was identified as one of the men that launched a brazen early morning attack on

REMANDED: Clive Vanlewin

Number 79 Village, Corentyne Berbice Cambio Dealer, Devendra Churaman has been charged with robbery under-arms.
Vanlewin is 18 years old and resides at Sand Hills, Berbice River.
He was remanded to prison until December 29, after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
It is alleged that on December 12, at Number 79 Village, Corentyne Berbice, Vanlewin while in the company of others and armed with a gun robbed Churaman of $22,500,000.
An unrepresented Vanlewin was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He was instructed to make his next court appearance at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.
Commander of Police ‘B’ Division, Senior Superintendent Errol Watts, had confirmed that one of the suspects was positively identified by Churaman during an identification held at the Albion Police Station last week Wednesday. The commander revealed that Churaman related to police that during the confrontation in his bedroom, the mask of one of the bandits fell off enabling him to see the face of the perpetrator.
According to reports, the bandits who were armed with AK-47 rifles, shotguns, cutlasses and sledge hammers launched their attack around 01:45hrs on the day in question. It was reported

Cambio Dealer: Devendra Churaman

that five of the men who were masked, smashed through the front window of Churaman’s home and hammered through a steel door to his bedroom to gain access.
Based on reports, the businessman was held at gunpoint and forced to lie face down on the floor while the bandits demanded cash and jewellery.
There were reports that while the five men carried out their rampage in the Cambio Dealer’s home, ten others stood guard in the streets firing shots and lighting firecrackers to keep neighbours distracted and at bay. The bandits reportedly escaped with the multi-million- dollar haul in local currency and $1M in jewellery.
When asked if he has any objections to the accused being granted bail, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones replied in the affirmative.
According to Jones, Vanlewin was positively identified by the virtual complainant as one of the men who invaded his home. The prosecutor noted that firearms were used during the commissioning of the robbery. He also cited the nature and gravity of the charge.
Prosecutor Jones indicated that several others will be charged in relation to the robbery.