Teen among four arrested in $7M theft from businesswoman at Durban Backlands

A 16-year-old labourer is among four persons in police custody following the theft of $7 million Guyana dollars from a Chinese businesswoman at Durban Backlands, Georgetown.

The incident, which is being investigated as simple larceny, occurred around 17:30 hrs on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

According to initial police enquiries, the 35-year-old businesswoman had placed a black plastic bag containing cash on the front passenger seat of her motor bus. The vehicle was reportedly left unlocked while she supervised the offloading of a nearby container.

During that time, the teenage suspect—who is from the same Durban Backlands area—allegedly entered the vehicle and removed the bag containing the cash.

Investigators say CCTV footage captured the suspect entering the vehicle and exiting shortly after with a bulky black plastic bag, believed to contain the money.

Following the report, police conducted operations in the Durban Backlands community, which led to the recovery of $4,390,000 in Guyana currency—more than half of the stolen sum.

Four individuals were subsequently arrested and taken to the East La Penitence Police Station. They include:

• A 16-year-old male labourer
• A 46-year-old female vendor
• A 40-year-old female kitchen assistant
• A 38-year-old male labourer

The recovered cash was counted in the presence of the suspects and officially lodged by the police.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the extent of each suspect’s involvement, but investigations remain ongoing as efforts continue to account for the remaining $2.61 million.