Police denting Corentyne criminal gang

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

Berbice police appeared to have dented a criminal gang that they believed was responsible for several robberies on the Corentyne Coast for which lawmen had been accused of being involved in.

Investigators said they almost arrested a suspected a suspected bandit at Number 65 Village Corentyne Saturday night about 8:30. However, he fled leaving behind a gun and ammunition.

“The man managed to escape but left behind a 16 gauge shotgun with one cartridge which was recovered by the police,” Guyana Police Force spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker said in a statement.

Police said a suspect who was arrested at Number 65 Village on Friday is expected to appear at the Whim Magistrates Court on Monday on four charges of robbery under arms.

The arrest and seizure came less than one month after residents had accused police of being complicit or directly involved in a number of those robberies.

At the request of the Home Affairs Minister, Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell transferred all the police ranks who had been stationed at the Number 51 Police Station in an effort to appease the incensed residents.

Police had reassured residents at a meeting there that every effort would have been made to go after the perpetrators.