Suspected cutlass bandits arrested; abducted girl rescued after getaway car crashed

Last Updated on Wednesday, 26 February 2025, 21:01 by Writer

Two of five suspected bandits, who robbed several persons connected to the Tide Restaurant and Bar at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara, on Monday night, were arrested after the getaway car crashed at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, police said.

The Guyana Police Force said a 15-year-old girl, who was robbed of one iPhone 12 cell phone valued at GY$150,000, and one gold finger ring valued at GY$200,000, was dragged into a Fielder wagon bearing licence number PAH 7157. She was rescued by lawmen who were summoned to the scene of the vehicular incident on the Pouderoyen Public Road.

Those arrested were identified by police as a 21-year-old labourer Perciven ‘Barban’ Aaron of Thomas Street, Georgetown, and 19-year-old Isaiah ‘Pranks’ Bowen of Church Street, Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara.

Investigators were told that at about 11 p.m. on Monday the bandits entered the yard of the proprietor of the Tide Restaurant and Bar, 59-year-old Richard Ghanshan shortly after he closed his business and was in his backyard attending to his dogs, and the other victims were upstairs relaxing. He reportedly said the suspects suddenly approached him and demanded cash and jewellery. In the process, he related that one of the suspects lashed him several times with a cutlass, causing him to receive injuries to the top of his head.

The suspects then pushed him to the upper flat of the building, where they confronted the other victims and relieved them of several articles. Police were informed that 61-year-old Sahodra Ghanshan, a businesswoman of La Jalousie was relieved of one Samsung Galaxy cellphone valued at $50,000 and a quantity of gold. Another victim, 18-year-old Raphal Sarwan, a cashier at the business place, was relieved of one Acer laptop valued at GY$120,000, two iPhones, both valued at $260,000, one Samsung A14 cellphone valued $50,000 and $300,000 cash. Sarwan was also lashed several times with a cutlass by one of the suspects during the ordeal.

Police said they searched the vehicle in the presence of the two suspects and found several of the stolen articles in the back seat.