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.

East Canje teen shot while resisting cops

March 30, 2016

Bandits strike in Laing Avenue

With police patrols in the city distracted by the fatal shooting in Albouystown, two armed bandits took advantage to terrorize a Laing Avenue household on Tuesday night.
The men held a gun to the head of a 14-year-old boy whose foot was in a cast, and forced a visitor to lie face down on the ground as they relieved him of his valuables.
The bandits timed their act to perfection as they managed to escape mere minutes before a police -mobile patrol passed the location.
Kaieteur News understands that Faye Daniels, who operates a food stall in the city, had left her 18-year-old daughter and her 14-year-old son at home to tend to her business.
At the time her daughter’s boyfriend was visiting. He bore the brunt of the attack.
Daniels’ daughter recalled that they were sitting on the patio in front of their house when her boyfriend got up to leave.
She said that she accompanied him to the gate and while there she observed two men, one short and the other tall, approaching from a nearby alleyway.
The men walked past but then suddenly turned and with their guns drawn, they ran towards the teenager and her boyfriend.
Daniels’ daughter said that she ran back into the house, leaving her boyfriend to the mercy of the two bandits.
Her brother who has a broken foot, tried desperately to flee also but one of the gunmen pointed his gun at him and ordered him to remain where he was.
Her boyfriend was ordered to lie face down by one of the bandits who demanded whatever valuables he had.
“They asked my boyfriend if he had on any jewellery and he didn’t answer…Then one of them feel his neck to see if he had on a chain, then he push he hand in his pocket and took out his cell phone and $4000,” the teenager recalled.
All the while she was peering through a crease in the wall, hoping desperately that the men would not enter the house to confront her.
But the men suddenly fled the scene through the same alleyway from which they had arrived.
“Shortly after a police patrol passed and we call them and tell them about the robbery, but they ain’t go after the men,” the young woman told this newspaper.
She said that she was taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station where she made a report but no one there took a statement from her; instead they told her to return the following morning.
Tuesday night’s robbery brought back shocking memories for Faye Daniels, who told this newspaper that it was the second time that the family has had such an experience.
“We got robbed in 2011 and now again…Like this thing won’t done,” Daniels lamented.
Although her children were traumatized by the ordeal, she feels lucky that she was not at home, since she too might have been targeted by the bandits.
Only recently the police had boasted a reduction in serious crimes and it is hoped that recent criminal events are not a sign that it is on the increase.

Albouystown drug dealer may have ordered hit on Soldier

An Albouystown drug dealer may have organized the execution of Army Lance Corporal Kevon Payne, who was gunned down outside his mother’s Sussex Street, Charlestown home around 21:00 hrs on Tuesday.

Army Lance Corporal Kevon Payne

This is one of several theories investigators are following as they continue to question several persons in connection with the execution-style killing of the 22-year-old man. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that no one has been arrested as yet. He said that investigators will be conducting a thorough investigation.
According to information received, one of Payne’s brothers, Vellone Thorne, was involved in a heated argument with a drug dealer, who is known to the family– this occurred some time last week.
The argument turned physical and the drug dealer later threatened to “finish” Payne’s brother.
Kaieteur News was told that the drug dealer told villagers that he has $10M and was willing to pay “the experts” to take out his enemy because he was too “disrespectful” to him.
There are reports that when Kevon Payne asked for time off from his work on Tuesday after he learnt of the incident involving his brother, Thorne, and the drug dealer. He reportedly went to meet the individual.
“My brother (Kevon) is a peaceful person. He hear that this man said he gone kill our brother and he went and confront he but this man started to behave stupid so my brother (Kevon) told him, if he kill my brother, he will have to live in the sky,” Sharmain Thorne, the dead man’s sister said.
Relatives believed that the well known drug dealer organized the soldier’s death after they talked early Tuesday.
“I think they kill Kevon to get to the other brother (Vellone) because they know that he is a road man and it won’t be easy to kill him,” the sibling stated.
Payne’s stepfather, Rudolph Thorne said that he too had tried to make peace between his son, Vellone and the drug dealer when he learnt of the incident.

Payne’s step father and sister.

“I meet him (drug dealer) and I ask him what happened and he said that my son disrespectful to him and that he got $10M and he gone get rid of my son,” Thorne said.
The man said that his relatives have already provided the police with the names of the shooter and the drug dealer who they claimed arranged the execution-style killing of Payne.
Kevon Payne was reportedly shot at least six times by his killer, who arrived on the scene on a white motorcycle and escaped with an accomplice, following a brief exchange of gunfire with police ranks.
Shakel Wilson, a friend of the dead man was shot in the leg. He is being treated at a private hospital.
Payne’s relatives are claiming that the police too played a part in his death. Amid these reports, the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Office of Professional Responsibility has launched an investigation.
This newspaper was told that investigators are also testing the weapons of those ranks, who were present at the scene.
In tears, the dead man’s mother, Evette Parris, said that she lost her daughter, Creavone Thorne, almost eight years ago and never received justice.
Thorne’s decomposed body was discovered in November 2008 in a trench at Thomas Lands with the throat slit.
Police had arrested her boyfriend but he was later released.
Meanwhile, members from the Guyana Defence Force visited the grieving family to offer their sympathy.
Among the Army officials was Gary Beaton, Commander of the GDF Coast Guard; welfare officers and Nicholas Corbin, the Force Chaplin.
This is the third execution in the city in recent days. The first was O’Riley Small, 31, who was riddled with bullets just as he entered his Smyth Street home.
The second victim was murder accused Steve Mohamed, who was riddled with bullets and dumped in Le Repentir Cemetery.

Corentyne man found currency making machine

Police on the Corentyne are almost certain that they have found the source of a counterfeit currency

Niran Khan

racket, after they busted a 28-year-old excavator operator yesterday.
Niran Khan, of lot 97 Number 71 Village, Corentyne, was arrested when a police party headed by Assistant Superintendent Antonio Fredricks, caught him with a set of fake Guyana $1000 bills.
Kaieteur News understands that the police, acting on information, went to Khan’s house to carry out a search.
Khan, who sitting on his stairs when the police turned up, appeared to be surprised at the sight of the lawmen, and he quickly ran inside with the intention of getting rid of any evidence of his operation.
However, he was too late, as the police rushed in the house and saw him trying to destroy some of the fake bills he had already made.
The cops also found a machine in the kitchen which was used to print the fake currency, along with paper already cut up and waiting to be printed.
Khan was placed in custody and is expected to be in court soon.
“We have been getting a number of reports about counterfeit local currency and we believe that we have found the source. There’s a large amount of counterfeit circulating in this region,” a rank close to the investigation told Kaieteur News.

Businessman among two shot during failed Regent St. robbery

A businessman and a father of two were shot yesterday during a botched robbery outside of a general

Narine Samsadeen

store on Regent Street, Georgetown. The incident occurred a little after 12:30 hrs.
The victims are Shazam Alli, a businessman of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Narine Samsadeen, 30, of Parika Backdam, EBE.
The businessman was shot to the foot and is hospitalized at a private hospital while Samsadeen was shot to the abdomen and is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Samsadeen is said to be in a critical condition at the hospital. When this newspaper visited the hospital yesterday, he was in the theatre.
Samsadeen’s father-in-law, Fazal Ali works for the businessman. At the time of the robbery, he was just lending a helping hand.
This newspaper was told that the 30-year-old man had an errand to run in the city and took a drop from the businessman early yesterday but eventually stayed to help out.
According to information received, the businessman buys grocery in Georgetown and sells in the interior. It is believed that he was traced after leaving a gold and diamond dealer in the city.
Police in a release said that an armed man exited a motor vehicle at Regent Street and discharged several rounds at Samadeen Alli and escaped in the motor vehicle.
“He (Samsadeen) doesn’t work with us. He had to buy something and he decided to stay and help us. We were buying stocks to take in the bush,” Ali said.
He explained that they had gone to the store to purchase a freezer. I was moving a bag of rice from the truck to put the freezer at the bottom when I hear gunshots and then I see two men run pass me,” Ali recalled.
The man explained that his son-in-law was at the top of the truck helping out while the businessman was now exiting the store. “I don’t think they got anything because when they left, he (businessman) still had his bag on him.”
“They shoot Narine first and the boss man run and they fired a shot at him,” Ali said.
No one has been arrested as yet. This newspaper was told that investigators will be reviewing the store’s surveillance cameras.
Investigations are ongoing.

Female security, 60, raped twice during robbery

–    “I told him I could be his grandmother and he said ‘what f***ing grandmother… lie down leh I f*** you’.”
A female security guard was raped twice within 35 minutes last Monday after a young robber broke into the guard hut she was in at a Day Care Centre in East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.
The 60-year-old woman was beaten and robbed before being raped twice by the man, who was arrested Wednesday night.
This occurred around 01:00 hr. on Monday last.
Yesterday, the woman recalled her horrifying ordeal and claimed that after she was sexually molested; her attacker had her walking naked towards an isolated area to kill her.
Luckily, a resident who resides nearby heard the commotion and came out just in time to rescue the elderly woman.
The mother of five explained that she was in the guard hut at the day care centre when she noticed a shadow.
“I got up and asked who was there and then I see like someone ducking and then the person suddenly raised up with a jersey over his face and stare at me,” the security guard recalled.
While holding a wood in his hand and threatening to kill her, the man demanded her purse.
“I gave him the purse and he asked me how much I got in it and I said $18,240. When he checked he said that I lie, he only see $240. He cuff me twice and he said if he can’t get money, he ‘got to get f***,’” the woman claimed.
She added that the man demanded that she remove her pants and underwear. He dragged her to the ball field in the day care compound (a bushy area) and raped her.
“When he done, he tell me to get up and he walk back in front and he keep asking for more money. All this time I keep remembering all those old people who were raped and killed and I was praying not to be one of them,” she said.
According to the elderly woman, after the man demanded more money for a second time, he told her that he needed to have intercourse with her again, since she didn’t have any money to give him.
“He asked me how old I was and I said 60. I told him that I could be his grandmother and he said ‘what f***ing grandmother… lie down leh I f*** you’. He asked me if I got man and so,” the woman said.
The victim said that when her attacker noticed that she was crying, he threatened her. “When I screamed for help, he said he will kill me and that no one will hear.”
Kaieteur News was told that after the mother of five was raped for a second time, her attacker demanded that she remove all her clothing.
“He said that he has to kill me now and I keep crying and begging. He told me to walk and then a man that live a short distance away came out and call out for me and I started hollering for help and he (attacker) run away,” the woman revealed.
The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was later arrested.
Investigations are ongoing.

Man remanded for beating, raping 60-year-old security guard

A man was yesterday remanded to prison for beating and raping a 60-year-old woman at a Day Care

Samuel George

centre in East Ruimveldt.
Samuel David George, 27, of Lot 8 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, had to be lifted by police ranks into to the court compound when he pointedly refused to walk on his own. Once in the compound yesterday afternoon, George shouted his innocence loudly, stating that he was wrongfully accused of robbing and raping the woman.
He shouted out for the President, pleading for help, “Granger, Granger, help me”.
He was not required to plead when the charge was read to him by before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. The prosecution evidence indicated that on March 28, last, at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he robbed his victim of a cellular phone valued $5,000 and $18,000 cash.
The victim, a security guard at the Day Care, is alleged to have been raped twice after a young robber broke into the guard hut.
She was beaten and robbed before being raped by the man around 01:00 hr on the day in question.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones successfully opposed bail on gravity of the charge and the fact that he has a pending rape allegation against him. He further mentioned that the defendant gave the police another address— Lot 600 East Ruimveldt.
George who was unrepresented by an Attorney was then remanded and the matter was adjourned to April 14.
With much difficulty, George was placed into the court lock ups by the police.

Body of pensioner with wound to head found on Coldingen roadway

– Police suspect he was robbed and killed

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 64-year-old pensioner, whose body with a wound to the head was discovered around 06:30 hrs yesterday.

Dead: Roger Manikam

The body of Roger Manikam of Lot 237 Section B Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was found on the roadway along the Coldingen Railway Embankment.
Investigators believed that the father of two was killed during a robbery. They are basing their theory on the fact that the man’s pockets were emptied and “turned inside-out.”
There are reports that Manikam was carrying more than $100,000 on him when he met with his tragic death.
At his home yesterday, his daughter, Naline Manikam said that she last saw her father around 20:00 hrs on Saturday before she and her sibling retired to bed.
“I can’t really say what happened but when we got up the morning, we didn’t see him and that was unusual because he would normally be at home around that time. This was around 08:30 (hrs),” the young woman claimed.
She said that she made a few calls to persons nearby as well as family members to find out whether anyone had heard from her father but she got no information.
Suspecting that something was definitely wrong, the young woman said that she went to the Vigilance Police Station to report him missing—at this point she had no idea that a body had been found not far from their home.
“I went to the station and they ask me to describe him and then I come home. When I reach home, they called me and asked if I can go back. When I went, they ask me about his clothes and tell me to describe him and then they say that they found a body matching the description,” the younger Manikam said.
She added that she was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour where she positively identified her father.
Manikam said that she has no idea how her father left home but suggested that he might have left in a car to go somewhere. She could not say where he went.
“He did not know anyone around that area where his body was found and he doesn’t usually go around that area so we don’t know what really happened,” she claimed.
According to the daughter, he had over $100,000 on him at the time of his death. “He doesn’t leave his money at home. He would usually walk with it and the police said that he didn’t have any money or anything else when they found him.”
The daughter too believed that her father was robbed and killed.
“He would usually leave home without telling anyone but he does always come home. He never sleeps out,” the woman said.
Investigations are ongoing.

Spurned man shoots ex-lover and male friend

Police in the mining town of Linden are on a manhunt for a man who shot his ex-lover and her male friend early yesterday morning.
Several residents of Half Mile, Wismar, Linden were rudely awakened from their slumber yesterday morning by the sound of gunshots shattering the early morning serenity.
In its wake, 40 year old Sherwin Hughes, of 138 Blue Berry Hill, and 41-year old Simone Belle, of 102 Half Mile who were both shot by a marauding gunman, had to be rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex for urgent medical attention. They were later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, for further treatment.
According to reports, the suspect who previously shared a relationship with Belle, had been observed hiding out in the woman’s yard earlier in the night.
“This is a domestic dispute gone too far. He (shooter) used to live with the woman, but she put he out, and like he ain’t want tek lef. People seh he beat she up, and she been by some friends and is carry they de carrying she home, when de shooting up tek place,” a source close to Belle told this newspaper.
Police in a statement said that their investigations so far have revealed that Simone Belle had just arrived home in a vehicle driven by Sherwin Hughes, when shots were discharged at them by a man who is reported to have shared a relationship with Belle and which was ended several months ago.
According to reports, as Belle and Hughes pulled up to her house, persons who had seen the suspect lurking in the dark, shouted to the driver, “Drive, don’t stop!”
“So dey drive past and de going up the road past the house but the gunman, run behind the vehicle shooting at dem. So the driver jump out and run, with the gunman in hot pursuit,” another source said.
One resident noted, “I dive for cover, lying prostrate on the floor until all the commotion died down. I don’t think that anyone ventured to peek out at that point.”
A relative of Sherwin Hughes said that the wounded man later underwent emergency surgery at the Georgetown Hospital, where several bullets were reportedly removed from his body.
Hughes was reportedly shot in the back, as he fled the scene. He was also shot in the hand and leg, according to reports.
This newspaper was unable to ascertain the wounded woman’s condition, since she was still undergoing surgery when this newspaper visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation yesterday afternoon.

Hard times under the pNC cause family to kill their own relatives. 

Body on roadway…Killer “tricked” friend into helping transport pensioner’s corpse

-car impounded, suspects lead cops to bloodstained sheet

When a young marketing agent got a call last Saturday night to help a friend ‘jump-start’ a car, he

Dead: Roger Manikam

immediately drove to Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara to assist.
But what the 25-year-old discovered was that the friend wanted help with the gruesome task of transporting and dumping the body of an elderly man the friend had murdered.
The victim was 64-year-old pensioner Roger Manikam, axed to death in his home, reportedly after being lured out of his bedroom by his biological daughter and 12-year-old step-daughter.
That’s the story that police are being told by the marketing agent, who detectives detained on Monday night in connection with Manikam’s murder.
Lawmen have also impounded the young man’s car, even as they check the vehicle for blood and other forensic evidence.
Police are said to be already in possession of the axe that was used to kill Manikam, as well as bloodstained sheets and other material that the killers used to clean the victim’s kitchen after murdering him.
These items were recovered yesterday after the ‘transporter’ and his 18-year-old friend took detectives to an area some 300 yards from the spot at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, where they had disposed of the body.
A shopkeeper also told investigators that the two friends had recently bought detergent from her.
Along with the two friends, the slain pensioner’s 18-year-old daughter and stepdaughter, said to be 12, are also in custody.
The older girl, whose boyfriend reportedly did the killing, has also confessed to her involvement in the plot, but Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum indicated that detectives wanted to gather as much evidence as they could before charging the suspects.
According to the young marketing agent, on Saturday night he received a call from his 18-year-old friend, who said that Manikam’s car needed a jump-start. But on arriving at Manikam’s home, the friend took him to the pensioner’s kitchen, where he saw the elderly man lying dead.
The marketing agent said that he then assisted his friend in wrapping the body and placing it in the back seat of his car. They then dumped the body on the Coldingen Railway Embankment.
The young killers had apparently hoped that police would believe that robbers had killed Manikam. The elder girl had repeatedly told detectives and a Kaieteur News reporter that her father always walked with money and was carrying over $100,000 when he was murdered.
She had also said that Manikam would usually leave home without telling anyone.
The teen said she last saw her father alive at around 20:00 hrs on Saturday, just before retiring to bed with her step-sister.
But detectives became suspicious when they revisited the scene on Monday and observed that a length of clothesline at Manikam’s home was similar to the length of cord that the killers had used to tie their victim, after wrapping up the body in plastic.
The repeated suggestions that the victim was carrying “a lot of money” also made investigators suspect that individuals were trying to make them believe that robbers had killed Manikam. They began to focus their attention on two teenage girls and the older girl’s 18-year-old boyfriend. After being subjected to intense questioning, the elder girl eventually confessed.
According to reports, the girls alleged that the pensioner had subjected them to years of emotional abuse, including threatening to put them out. The older girl also reportedly said that her father had taken a large sum of money that was awarded to her.
Last week, the girls and an 18-year-old male friend hatched a plan to kill Manikam.
On Saturday night, the two girls reportedly went into the kitchen and began to make a commotion to lure the pensioner out of his bedroom.
When an angry Manikam eventually headed to the kitchen to berate the girls, the 18-year-old boyfriend of one of the teens chopped the pensioner on the head with an axe.
They then contacted the other male friend, who took the body in a car to the Coldingen Railway Embankment.

This reeks of extra judicial activity by the PNC:

Kidnappers abduct, release Windsor Forest businessman

A Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara businessman has told police a bizarre story of being abducted at his home, before being released by his captors after his abductors were told that they had picked up “the wrong man.”
The businessman, who runs an auto dealership and exports prawns, has told police that he was at his home around 10.00 hrs yesterday when an individual known as ‘Quarters’ came to his residence and called out to him.
But when he let the man into his yard, two other men reportedly also entered and forced him into a white Toyota Premio. Kaieteur News was told that the businessman enquired from ‘Quarters’ why the men were abducting him, but the men ordered their victim to be silent.
They then drove to the West Ruimveldt ‘Back Road’, where they were joined by the occupants of another vehicle. According to reports, the men who had abducted the businessman wound down their car windows so that they could see their captive.
They reportedly then asked the occupants of the other car if the businessman was “the coolie man.’ The abductors were then informed that they had picked up “the wrong man.” The businessman was subsequently released. He then contacted the police.
Police have since searched two locations for ‘Quarters’ and his accomplice, and are also trying to locate the car.
They are also checking Closed Circuit television (CCTV) footage in a bid to identify all of the individuals. The Demerara Harbour Bridge is equipped with CCTV cameras, with a direct feed to CID Headquarters, Eve Leary.

Any former PPP official charged lately?

ksazma posted:

Any former PPP official charged lately?

Ask Jalil that question.

ksazma posted:

Any former PPP official charged lately?

PNC/AFC scraping far below the barrel bottom to still see if there is just a small hint.

Demerara_Guy posted:

ksazma posted:

Any former PPP official charged lately?

PNC/AFC scraping far below the barrel bottom to still see if there is just a small hint.

These guys were so sure of the corruption and crimes for more than five years and nearly a year later they are still haplessly meandering. Now Goolsarran who they paid all that money to can't find anything conclusive but feel happy enough to "suppose" that the PPP did something. What a shame for someone from my profession after doing a full audit only able to make a supposition.

In another sense, maybe the PNC/AFC aren't spending anytime looking for anything. They too busy gratifying themselves.

Even the most ardent of the afc/apnu supporters know that all these accusations against the PPP were merely a means to an end, to attain power by raising suspicion and doubt.

ksazma posted:

Demerara_Guy posted:

ksazma posted:

Any former PPP official charged lately?

PNC/AFC scraping far below the barrel bottom to still see if there is just a small hint.

These guys were so sure of the corruption and crimes for more than five years and nearly a year later they are still haplessly meandering. Now Goolsarran who they paid all that money to can't find anything conclusive but feel happy enough to "suppose" that the PPP did something. What a shame for someone from my profession after doing a full audit only able to make a supposition.

All of the projects which the PNC vehemently voted against when the PPP/C was in power will be revived and come to fruition.