December 24,2017
With vehicles being hijacked almost daily throughout the country, acting Crime Chief, Paul Williams, said that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has had enough of such cases. It is now determined more than ever to put an end to the carjacking ring.
First thing on the agenda, Williams said, is that the force will be taking a joint agency approach to tackle the culprits behind the carjacking. He said that the force will be partnering with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and insurance companies.
Kaieteur News was informed that investigators will be able to determine how many crashed vehicles were sold as “scraps” and where they were sold since there have been reports that stolen cars are stripped and sold as spare parts.
GRA will provide the police with information pertaining to the ownership of vehicles and the dates they were imported.
Additionally, the Crime Chief said that there are a number of unauthorized workshops throughout the country. The operators of these places will have to provide the cops with details regarding the origin of spare parts.
“We are going to be visiting these places and they have to tell us where they get their parts from,” the Crime Chief said.
Williams explained that there are instances where persons report that their vehicles had been stolen, but when checks were made; it was found that the vehicles were actually repossessed by the auto dealers.
“We are asking persons, when they come to report that their vehicle was hijacked, to tell us if they have any money outstanding for any auto dealers because we would have had cases where a person parks and goes into a store. When they come out, the vehicle is gone but it really was the company using its duplicate key to repossess the vehicle,” Williams said.
Asked whether he has received information that there are auto companies that purchase these stolen cars, the Crime Chief said that he has not received such report. Moreover, he indicated that ranks will be examining taxi bases to see if any stolen vehicles are there.
Williams said that Toyota Allion and Premio motor vehicles are the most targeted vehicles. As of last July, bandits made off with five Toyota Allion and 12 Toyota Premio motorcars. In most of these cases, the drivers were held at gunpoint.
In total, 25 vehicles were hijacked, including three Carina 212 and one Toyota Spacio car.
The Crime Chief said that in most of the cases, the drivers were either trailed to their home or the perpetrator(s) was already at the victims’ home, waiting on them.
“You find that the suspects are already at their home and when they come out of their car to open their gate, the perpetrator sticks them up right there and takes away their vehicles,” Williams said. He urged drivers to always be on the alert.
”When persons are going home, they should have someone looking out for them so that the person can see whether there is anyone suspicious there,” the Crime Chief said.