Updated: Policeman, GPO driver arrested for GUY$90M heist outside Bourda Post Office

Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 April 2015, 13:58 by GxMedia

Police were Wednesday morning probing the theft of a gun, ammunition and GUY$90 million that was being taken to the Bourda Branch of the Guyana Post Office (GPO).

Investigators were told that the incident occured about 8:15 AM when three men armed with firearms held up a police escort and the driver of a General Post Office motor vehicle, who were in the vehicle outside of the Post Office in Regent Street, Bourda, while in the process of delivering monies to the Post Office

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department, Assistant Commissioner Leslie James said the policeman, who was providing armed escort for the cash, and the GPO driver have been detained for questioning.

Police said the perpetrators took away the policeman’s service G3 Rifle with 20 rounds and then entered the vehicle and forced the driver to drive away, with the police rank inside. The vehicle was later abandoned at Cemetery Road, Georgetown.

The distribution of old age pensions at several post offices in the city has since been cancelled. “They say come back next week. The money gone,” said an elderly woman at the post office on Lamaha and Carmichael Streets.

A senior police officer said no shots were fired. Investigators were on the scene interviewing persons.