Berbice Police have arrested and charged several men who were part of two gangs which terrorised residents of the county.
Police said that at about 21:20hrs on February 13, they intercepted a motorcar on the No. 51 Public Road, Corentyne.
A search of the vehicle, the driver and five occupants revealed hoodies and both rubber and latex gloves. Based on further intelligence, an unlicensed pistol with nine live ammunition which was disposed of by one of the occupants when the vehicle was stopped, was retrieved in a clump of bush nearby.
On February 17, 2020, the six suspects were charged with possession of firearm and ammunition without a licence and have been remanded to prison until March 19, 2020.
They appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court and will appear before the No. 51 Magistrate’s Court on their next court date and are also likely to answer to additional charges, based on legal advice which is yet to be obtained.
Police gave the names and particulars of the accused as:
- Clive “Gary” Davis, 37, self-employed of No. 76 Housing Scheme, Corriverton, Berbice.
- Suresh Kumar, 49, a fisherman of Patrick Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
- Paul “Magnum or Lil Buck” Wilson, 22, a labourer of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
- Vishaul “Sono” Persaud, 27, a fisherman of 67 Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
- Kwame Bhagwandin, 36, a labourer of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
- David “Rastaman” Melville, 43, a labourer of 221 Patrick Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
During intense interrogation by detectives, one of the men admitted to a major robbery on Chenick supermarket and Superbet Facility in December last year. During that robbery, owner Doodnauth Moses was beaten and relieved of an undisclosed sum of cash and a small quantity of jewellery.
During the robbery, a high-powered weapon was used when six armed men invaded the business. They also hijacked the owner’s car which was subsequently abandoned several miles away.
On February 14, the gang led Police an area where a 9mm gun was handed over; the weapon is suspected to have been used in several robberies. The men also detailed information about how they acquired their weapons, including assault rifles.
According to reliable sources, the men are known to the Police and had served time prior for serious robberies.
Meanwhile, on February 14, the Police from Whim Police station intercepted a motor car on the Tain Public road with three persons who had a ski mask, a crowbar and a cutlass.
The trio was arrested and one of the men admitted to robbing a Lancaster Village Headteacher on Thursday last.
During that robbery a total of $2.3M in jewellery was stolen, along with $100,000 cash, cell phone and a tablet device.
Further, information received pointed to a businessman and his son of Rose Hall Town who may have had knowledge of the incident, including the son of the businessman using a licensed firearm to carry out attacks.
Additionally, information gathered suggested that the businessman would usually sell the stolen items.
He was placed on $50,000 on Tuesday evening; the others remain in custody.
The Police stated they are awaiting legal advice to proceed with charges.
