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Millions in jewels stolen in L. Seepersaud Maraj raid

-vaults cut open, robbery could have taken five hours; constabulary, private security firm facing questions

July 4 2018

Source

This is how the store appears in the Stabroek Market: From left are two of the Maraj brothers Ram and Heera and another relative. (SN file photo)

The proprietors of the L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons jewellery store at the Stabroek Market, in Georgetown, are now counting millions in losses following a break-in, which has put the security provided by both the City Constabulary and a private firm under scrutiny.

Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday, one of the proprietors, Ram Maraj, said that the last check on the stall was made around 9 am on Monday which was a holiday. “Every day we does check this market, whether it’s a holiday or not. One of us have to come to make sure all we stocks in place and everything,” he explained.

Ram, who could not give an estimate of the losses as yet, said he learnt of the break-in after receiving a call from a fellow vendor around 7 am yesterday. It is suspected that the break-in occurred on Monday night.

Ram noted that the bandits gained entry into the stall by piercing the padlock on the grillwork. Once inside, they used a torch to burn out the combination locks to a vault. “They cut the lock and they jump over. But coming into the shop is not the problem but getting into that [the safe] is the issue,” he related.

According to Ram, there are three layers of security before one can gain access to the vault. “…So I don’t know how this was so possible given the amount of time. They had to have a lot of time to get this done,” he added.

In a statement posted to its Facebook page last night, the store said the police recovered tools which included blow torches and other chemicals used. “The vault had three (3) doors and each door was cut with precision. It is sufficient to say that the perpetrators of this crime aren’t novices, but highly skilled thieves,” it noted, while pointing out that several security specialists and others trained in ironwork and welding who were consulted indicated that it would have taken “no less than five (5) hours for the vaults to be cut open.”

Additionally, the store, which has been in business since 1935,  said two city constables claimed that checks were done earlier in the market but nothing was discovered.

It was also noted that the store, which is found under the clock in the Stabroek Market,  was secured with an alarm system that was being monitored by the MMC Security Force and  the alarm was set off three times on Monday night. “However MMC never informed us or the police that the alarms went off. On every other occasion, whenever the alarm is set off, MMC would call us immediately and the fact that we never received any calls or reports from them is puzzling,” the store added.

“As stall owners operating under market rules, we have no choice but to depend on the City Constabulary for security whenever the market is closed. At the time of writing this, we have not been contacted by anyone from the Mayor and City Council’s Office or the Town Clerk’s Office. We are surprised at the lack of care and diligence by the City Constabulary in not observing that such an elaborate crime was being perpetuated over so many hours,” the store also said.

When Stabroek News visited the scene yesterday, the business was closed and contractors were effecting repairs.

Ram said the business will be open as per normal from today.

It is unclear if there was any surveillance footage which might have captured the break-in.

Crime Chief Paul Williams told Stabroek News an investigation has been launched but no one had yet been apprehended.

Williams said he and a team of investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Major Crimes Unit visited the scene yesterday afternoon and interacted with the proprietors.

Meanwhile, when contacted for a comment yesterday afternoon, Chief Constable Andrew Foo said that the City Constabulary learnt of the break-in between 9.30 and 10 am yesterday.

Foo said that no report of the break-in was made to the constabulary as the victims called the police. However, he noted that the constabulary still has a responsibility to investigate. “We have a responsibility to conduct our internal investigation. The Guyana Police Force is in charge of this investigation because of its nature,” he said.

In the store’s Facebook post, the proprietors said their father, L. Seepersaud Maraj, taught them that the cornerstone of their business was the personal relationship they enjoy with their customers, whom they regard as their extended family. “We are now appealing to you, to contact us or the police if you have any information regarding this robbery and keep us in your prayers,” they added.

L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons was inherited by the three brothers from their father who started the family’s rise from his own toil on the Diamond Sugar Estate. 

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Amral posted:

Would not surprise me if this was an inside job

I am just a little curious, given the value of the jewelry stored there, as to why they would at least not have had security cameras that you can access from your cell phone.

GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:

A grandson of L. Seepersaud Maraj recently got married in Brampton.  The ladies in the family were decked out in Guyana gold.

How come there is no CCTV coverage during the heist?

Mitwah
kp posted:

Django, I just read that six people are being investigated.

Six held over L Seepersaud Maraj robbery

July 5 2018

Source

Investigators have detained six persons for questioning in relation to the break and enter of the L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons jewellery store at the Stabroek Market during which millions of dollars in gold and diamond jewels were stolen.

This is according to a police source who related to Stabroek News that the men were picked up  yesterday and were up to last evening being questioned by ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Major Crimes Unit, which is spearheading the investigation.

However, up to press time, the source said investigators have not gathered any substantial information from the detained men.

While details surrounding the incident remain sketchy, reports had revealed that the robbery is suspected to have occurred sometime on Monday evening.

The multi-million dollar heist has placed security provided by both the City Constabulary and a private firm under scrutiny.

Ram Maraj, one of the proprietors of the business had related to Stabroek News on Tuesday that the last check on the stall was made around 9 am on Monday which was a holiday.

Ram, who could not give an estimate of the losses, had said he learnt of the break-in after receiving a call from a fellow vendor around 7 am Tuesday.

He noted that the bandits gained entry into the stall by piercing the padlock on the grillwork. Once inside, they used a torch to burn out the combination locks to a vault. “They cut the lock and they jump over. But coming into the shop is not the problem but getting into that [the safe] is the issue,” he related.

According to Ram, there are three layers of security before one can gain access to the vault. “…So I don’t know how this was so possible given the amount of time. They had to have a lot of time to get this done,” he had added.

Meanwhile in a statement posted to its Facebook page on Tuesday evening, the store said the police recovered tools which included blow torches and other chemicals used.

“The vault had three (3) doors and each door was cut with precision. It is sufficient to say that the perpetrators of this crime aren’t novices, but highly skilled thieves,” it noted, while pointing out that several security specialists and others trained in ironwork and welding who were consulted indicated that it would have taken “no less than five (5) hours for the vaults to be cut open.”

Additionally, the store, which has been in business since 1935, said two city constables claimed that checks were done earlier in the market but nothing was discovered.

It was also noted that the store, which is found under the iconic clock in the Stabroek Market, was secured with an alarm system that was being monitored by the MMC Security Force and  the alarm was set off three times on Monday night. “However MMC never informed us or the police that the alarms went off. On every other occasion, whenever the alarm is set off, MMC would call us immediately and the fact that we never received any calls or reports from them is puzzling,” the store added.

Contacted for a comment on this yesterday, MMC Security Force Operations Manager said that the company was working to put a press statement together. However, up to press time,  no statement was received by this newspaper.

“As stall owners operating under market rules, we have no choice but to depend on the City Constabulary for security whenever the market is closed. At the time of writing this, we have not been contacted by anyone from the Mayor and City Council’s Office or the Town Clerk’s Office. We are surprised at the lack of care and diligence by the City Constabulary in not observing that such an elaborate crime was being perpetuated over so many hours,” the store also said.

It is unclear if there was any surveillance footage which might have captured the break-in.

Chief Constable Andrew Foo had told Stabroek News that the City Constabulary learnt of the break-in between 9.30 and 10 am Tuesday.

Foo had said that no report of the break-in was made to the constabulary as the victims called the police. However, he noted that the constabulary still has a responsibility to investigate. “We have a responsibility to conduct our internal investigation. The Guyana Police Force is in charge of this investigation because of its nature,” he said.    


 

Here is the article.

That's a tough safe to crack.

Django
Last edited by Django
GTAngler posted:
Amral posted:

Would not surprise me if this was an inside job

I am just a little curious, given the value of the jewelry stored there, as to why they would at least not have had security cameras that you can access from your cell phone.

Hope they and other stores learn their lesson, wise up, and get with the times.

FM
Last edited by Former Member

IAC stands in solidarity with L Seepersaud Maraj &Sons

July 5 2018

Source

Dear Editor,

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) is appalled and outraged to learn from the media, that L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons, an esteemed family business which has been in operation for generations, has suffered millions of dollars in losses due to a robbery which occurred sometime between 2nd – 3rd July 2018.

The IAC, a non-profit, non-governmental, organization which deals with issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, including educational and social work, recognizes the Maraj Sons as distinguished descendants of East Indian Indentured labourers, who had worked tirelessly to establish its name in the jewellery industry, and contributed significantly to the development of an independent Guyana through philanthropic activities.

The IAC understands that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and a private security firm are responsible for ensuring the security of the business which is located in the Stabroek Market, and the organization is disappointed to read about the reported lack of diligence demonstrated by the two entities in responding to this horrific ordeal.

The IAC is pleased to discern that no one was hurt from the incident and expresses its support to and stands in solidarity with, the sons of L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons at this time of affliction, and the organization is calling upon the relevant authorities to undertake swift and thorough action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The IAC further calls upon the M&CC, and the private security firm involved to provide an explanation as to how this incident could have occurred and to initiate measures to avoid any possible repeat in the future.

Yours faithfully,

Saira Alli

IAC Secretary


 

Suh what alyuh think about IAC Solidarity ?

Django
Django posted:

IAC stands in solidarity with L Seepersaud Maraj &Sons

July 5 2018

Source

Dear Editor,

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) is appalled and outraged to learn from the media, that L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons, an esteemed family business which has been in operation for generations, has suffered millions of dollars in losses due to a robbery which occurred sometime between 2nd – 3rd July 2018.

The IAC, a non-profit, non-governmental, organization which deals with issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, including educational and social work, recognizes the Maraj Sons as distinguished descendants of East Indian Indentured labourers, who had worked tirelessly to establish its name in the jewellery industry, and contributed significantly to the development of an independent Guyana through philanthropic activities.

The IAC understands that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and a private security firm are responsible for ensuring the security of the business which is located in the Stabroek Market, and the organization is disappointed to read about the reported lack of diligence demonstrated by the two entities in responding to this horrific ordeal.

The IAC is pleased to discern that no one was hurt from the incident and expresses its support to and stands in solidarity with, the sons of L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons at this time of affliction, and the organization is calling upon the relevant authorities to undertake swift and thorough action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The IAC further calls upon the M&CC, and the private security firm involved to provide an explanation as to how this incident could have occurred and to initiate measures to avoid any possible repeat in the future.

Yours faithfully,

Saira Alli

IAC Secretary


 

Suh what alyuh think about IAC Solidarity ?

Personally I think it's a crock of shit. The only requisite for solidarity/support should be the fact that they were victims of a crime. Race should not be a factor.

GTAngler
Bibi Haniffa posted:

A grandson of L. Seepersaud Maraj recently got married in Brampton.  The ladies in the family were decked out in Guyana gold.

I'll hazard a guess that they were/are PNC supporters?

GTAngler
Django posted:

IAC stands in solidarity with L Seepersaud Maraj &Sons

July 5 2018

Source

Dear Editor,

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) is appalled and outraged to learn from the media, that L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons, an esteemed family business which has been in operation for generations, has suffered millions of dollars in losses due to a robbery which occurred sometime between 2nd – 3rd July 2018.

The IAC, a non-profit, non-governmental, organization which deals with issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, including educational and social work, recognizes the Maraj Sons as distinguished descendants of East Indian Indentured labourers, who had worked tirelessly to establish its name in the jewellery industry, and contributed significantly to the development of an independent Guyana through philanthropic activities.

The IAC understands that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and a private security firm are responsible for ensuring the security of the business which is located in the Stabroek Market, and the organization is disappointed to read about the reported lack of diligence demonstrated by the two entities in responding to this horrific ordeal.

The IAC is pleased to discern that no one was hurt from the incident and expresses its support to and stands in solidarity with, the sons of L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons at this time of affliction, and the organization is calling upon the relevant authorities to undertake swift and thorough action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The IAC further calls upon the M&CC, and the private security firm involved to provide an explanation as to how this incident could have occurred and to initiate measures to avoid any possible repeat in the future.

Yours faithfully,

Saira Alli

IAC Secretary


 

Suh what alyuh think about IAC Solidarity ?

Usually Your views would follow.

- What you fishing for?

- What you think of IAC.. with all them Indian names you fetch , you should be in solidarity .😂

FM
kp posted:

Django, I just read that six people are being investigated.

Yeah, the police drive around and picked up 6 vagrant.

Some of the  homeless see lot of stuff and knows what’s going on. 

FM
GTAngler posted:
Django posted:

IAC stands in solidarity with L Seepersaud Maraj &Sons

July 5 2018

Source

Dear Editor,

The Indian Action Committee (IAC) is appalled and outraged to learn from the media, that L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons, an esteemed family business which has been in operation for generations, has suffered millions of dollars in losses due to a robbery which occurred sometime between 2nd – 3rd July 2018.

The IAC, a non-profit, non-governmental, organization which deals with issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin, including educational and social work, recognizes the Maraj Sons as distinguished descendants of East Indian Indentured labourers, who had worked tirelessly to establish its name in the jewellery industry, and contributed significantly to the development of an independent Guyana through philanthropic activities.

The IAC understands that the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and a private security firm are responsible for ensuring the security of the business which is located in the Stabroek Market, and the organization is disappointed to read about the reported lack of diligence demonstrated by the two entities in responding to this horrific ordeal.

The IAC is pleased to discern that no one was hurt from the incident and expresses its support to and stands in solidarity with, the sons of L. Seepersaud Maraj & Sons at this time of affliction, and the organization is calling upon the relevant authorities to undertake swift and thorough action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The IAC further calls upon the M&CC, and the private security firm involved to provide an explanation as to how this incident could have occurred and to initiate measures to avoid any possible repeat in the future.

Yours faithfully,

Saira Alli

IAC Secretary


 

Suh what alyuh think about IAC Solidarity ?

Personally I think it's a crock of shit. The only requisite for solidarity/support should be the fact that they were victims of a crime. Race should not be a factor.

It's BS.  This was just a robbery and no indication of anything else.  It happens everyday in Guyana.

Where is IAC mouth with all the ethnic targeting, robbery, killing and ethnic cleansing going on, both at the street and the institutionally mandated levels.

Where was IAC when thousands of mostly Indian workers where thrown out of work and left to fend for themselves.

Coolies could be bought and sold like a cheap suit!

FM
Django posted:

Dave,no fishing bhai,

agreed with GTAngler

"it's a crock of shit "

I agree with GTAngler. Just messing around with you bhai.

You would believe millions worth of jewelry left at a location vulnerable to thieves, these business owners would have cameras around their stores with an alarm system with flashing lights and warning sounds. 

But, who knows. 

MMC system is usually hook up to your resident/ mobile phone that alerts you, unless the subscriber disengage the system. 

We were force to disengage our system cause the homeless would sleep close to the door and vibration will trigger the alarm.

The subscriber, will call MMC and request a site visit or MMC will notify the subscriber.

in Seepersaud case, there Store is inside the market, no need to desengage the alert. 

MMC should issue a statement. 

I hope the cops get to the bottom of what transpire. 

FM
GTAngler posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

A grandson of L. Seepersaud Maraj recently got married in Brampton.  The ladies in the family were decked out in Guyana gold.

I'll hazard a guess that they were/are PNC supporters?

Why do you think that only PNC supporters can deck out in Guyana gold?

Bibi Haniffa
Sheik101 posted:
Ramakant-P posted:

I am shocked! 

Really?? Why? This is guyana. Nothing new here.

So Sheik, Moses and Ramjattan lied to Guyanese ? They promised the sun and moon and gave out Katahar. 

FM
Dave posted:
kp posted:

Django, I just read that six people are being investigated.

Yeah, the police drive around and picked up 6 vagrant.

Some of the  homeless see lot of stuff and knows what’s going on. 

Bhai,don't be a jokey,the crime chief will crack the case.

Django
Dave posted:
kp posted:

Django, I just read that six people are being investigated.

Yeah, the police drive around and picked up 6 vagrant.

Some of the  homeless see lot of stuff and knows what’s going on. 

Why were they suspects, were they wearing gold necklace and bangles??

FM
Baseman posted:
Dave posted:
kp posted:

Django, I just read that six people are being investigated.

Yeah, the police drive around and picked up 6 vagrant.

Some of the  homeless see lot of stuff and knows what’s going on. 

Why were they suspects, were they wearing gold necklace and bangles??

Django
Baseman posted:

Where is IAC mouth with all the ethnic targeting, robbery, killing and ethnic cleansing going on . . .

in trying to follow alyuh confusing and confused 'reasoning'

i am compelled to assume that all this "ethnic targeting" doesn't matter to y'all when Indian criminals victimize other Indians

FM
Baseman posted:
Dave posted:
kp posted:

Django, I just read that six people are being investigated.

Yeah, the police drive around and picked up 6 vagrant.

Some of the  homeless see lot of stuff and knows what’s going on. 

Why were they suspects, were they wearing gold necklace and bangles??

Oh lord.. i see you are totally disconnect on Guyana police investigation. 

FM
Bibi Haniffa posted:
GTAngler posted:
Bibi Haniffa posted:

A grandson of L. Seepersaud Maraj recently got married in Brampton.  The ladies in the family were decked out in Guyana gold.

I'll hazard a guess that they were/are PNC supporters?

Why do you think that only PNC supporters can deck out in Guyana gold?

Refresh my memory. Where exactly did I say or in any way insinuate that only PNC supporters can be decked out in Guyana gold?

GTAngler
Mitwah posted:
 

He became unconscious and fell into a coma for months. He seems to have exacerbated a pre-existing condition of brain damage. 

For an impotent, invalid  jackass you are still in existence  on GNI 

K
kp posted:
Mitwah posted:
 

He became unconscious and fell into a coma for months. He seems to have exacerbated a pre-existing condition of brain damage. 

For an impotent, invalid  jackass you are still in existence  on GNI 

Hahahahahahahah. De man who seeks credit for shaking down his matee coolies for free food and booz have the audacity to personally attack me. LHM

Mitwah
kp posted:
Mitwah posted:
 

He became unconscious and fell into a coma for months. He seems to have exacerbated a pre-existing condition of brain damage. 

For an impotent, invalid  jackass you are still in existence  on GNI 

Admins need him here.  His behavior is encouraged.

Bibi Haniffa
Mitwah posted:
kp posted:
Mitwah posted:
 

He became unconscious and fell into a coma for months. He seems to have exacerbated a pre-existing condition of brain damage. 

For an impotent, invalid  jackass you are still in existence  on GNI 

Hahahahahahahah. De man who seeks credit for shaking down his matee coolies for free food and booz have the audacity to personally attack me. LHM

Wasn’t this the guy who posted Blacks could be bought and sold for fry rice.  That post where I called him a “*unt.”

The saying is so true, those who like to point their fingers at others, usually have three pointing back at them. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member

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