Gunmen snatch millions in gold, diamonds from gated community

It’s gated, has round the clock security and surveillance cameras, but a gang of robbers somehow managed to escape unseen with a safe containing millions of dollars in gold, diamonds and rare watches from the community of Windsor Estate, East Bank Demerara. Police said that the heist occurred around 22.00 hrs on Friday at the home of a prominent business family that is involved in the mining and fishing industries. The safe reportedly contained some 53 ounces of raw gold, said to value some $11M, three large diamonds and several custom-made watches. Kaieteur News understands that a baby-sitter was the lone occupant at the time. Police appear to be skeptical about her version of events and were questioning the employee up to late yesterday evening at the Ruimveldt Police Station. According to reports, the maid alleged that she was having a bath when five men, including one who was masked, entered the premises through a window at the back of the premises. She alleged that while some of the men held her at gunpoint, others ransacked the house, and eventually located a safe in one of the bedrooms. The ‘robbers’ reportedly remained in the house for some 20 minutes before fleeing. Police sources said that the maid claimed that the ‘robbers’ made no attempt to restrain her. It was she who reportedly alerted security personnel about the ‘heist.’ However, Kaieteur News understands that security personnel manning the gates told police that the security cameras were not working at the time of the ‘heist.’ It is also unclear how the ‘robbers’ entered and left the gated community without being observed by the security personnel. The new community is located near to Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara. Visitors to the community have to identify themselves to security personnel and have to be further cleared before being granted entry. One sign at the entrance states: “Warning, 24 hrs armed security, while another reads: “This area is 24 hrs camera surveillance.”