Armed bandits rob Diamond couple outside home – coming from airport after vacation in the US

By Michel Outridge, August 31, 2015, Source

A HUSBAND and wife are traumatised after suffering an early-morning armed robbery yesterday just after arriving home at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, from a vacation in the United States via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.The couple, who did not want to be named, said they could not recall being followed by a white car while on their way home from the airport, but as soon as they arrived in front their house in a taxi, they were relieved by two armed men of two pieces of hand luggage which contained important documents and cash, among other things they had brought for persons.

The husband told this newspaper that they had just parked in front of their house and he had exited the car to open the gate when a white car passed, and two men came up.

The one with a knife told him, “Don’t move!” while the gunman held up the taxi driver and put him to lie on the ground, while his wife was still seated in the vehicle.

The knife-toting bandit demanded that she hand over the bags, but she hesitated and the gunman then threatened to shoot the driver if she did not comply.

The terrified woman was forced to hand over the two hand-piece bags to the robber, who was armed with a knife, and he then reassured his accomplice that he got the bags and not to shoot anybody.

The bandits, who fled the scene on foot, left the area in a white car which was waiting down the street for them.

The couple said the incident took place within a few minutes because the men did not waste time and escaped quickly but after the police were summed they showed up promptly to take their report.

They related that the incident took place just before 03:00 hrs and they took a car they would normally travel with and cannot say who would have tipped off the bandits as to their movements leading up to the robbery.

It is their first robbery experience and the incident has left them very ‘shaky’ but they were pleased with the police response time.

They noted however that many armed robberies are being committed in the Diamond area, particularly during the hours of darkness and they need greater protection as the crime wave is evidently spiraling out of control.

The couple who resides at 11th Street, Back Half, Diamond Housing Scheme said that any person who may have information which may lead to the recovery of their documents, including their passports with visas and other important documents which were in an envelope with the names Rohit Deeyal and Somwattie, can call 625-6215.

The woman told this publication that she was robbed of some US$4,000 she had transported for persons here, along with documents among other articles that are of great importance and cannot be easily replaced.

By Michel Outridge

Granger forgot to pardon them..

Fire breaks out at Guyoil”s Providence Station

August 31, 2015, Source

A FIRE broke out early last evening at the Guyoil Providence Service Station at its lubricating oil storage bond. The Fire Service responded promptly to the report and firemen were able to contain the blaze.No injuries were reported. (See more in tomorrow’s issue)