Timehri man arrested following shootout with security officers

Three security officers attached to Blackwater Tactical Security Firm managed to apprehend a 30-year-old man who was discharging rounds from an illegal firearm in the wee hours of Saturday.

Police Headquarters revealed that the suspect is from Timehri on the East Bank of Demerara. A .32 along with two .32 spent shells and a magazine were found in the man’s haversack.

Police said the incident occurred at about 02:00hrs within the vicinity of Regent, Robb and Light Streets in Georgetown. The security officers were conducting patrol checks in the area and stopped to purchase food on Light Street when they heard loud explosions coming from Regent Street.

Upon investigating, the officers observed the suspect, who was dressed in a black and white jersey, carrying a yellow haversack and running south along Light Street.

The officers then gave chase behind the suspect who attempted to escape in a Silver Toyota Spacio (PVV 8934). Police said the car was parked at the corner of South Road and Light Street.

As the security officers approached the car, the suspect and another occupant began discharging rounds at them, Chief Executive Officer of Blackwater Tactical Security Firm, Ishwar Singh subsequently told the News Room.

The News Room understands that the occupant of the car managed to escape while the suspect was arrested by the security officers on Croal Street. He reportedly threw the haversack with the firearm into the compound of a church while trying to escape.

“The haversack was retrieved by the officers, and the man was escorted to the Alberttown Police Station, where he identified himself (name provided) of Timehri, East Bank Demerara,” the police reported.

The firearm, along with the magazine, were lodged at the station while the car was also impounded at the Alberttown Police Station.

The car was searched and a driver’s license belonging to another male also of Timehri, EBD and an ID of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Corporal were found.

The suspect remains in custody.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police (ag.) Clifton Hicken has lauded the collaboration and partnership between private security firms and the Guyana Police Force in crime-fighting and working together to maintain peace and stability in communities across Guyana.