A group of alert residents of Roden Rust, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, on Friday evening caught an alleged bandit and gave him a sound thrashing before handing him over to Police. Reports are at about 20:00h on Friday, residents noticed four men in a burgundy motorcar lingering in the area.
Asheana Dookram, a resident of Roden Rust, told Guyana Times on Saturday that the young man was in the car with three others, parked in front of a villager’s house for quite some time which raised suspicions.
Another resident said that the car was known to them since it was seen in the area a few weeks ago when several robberies were committed. After monitoring the men for some time, residents confronted the men and the one which was eventually caught ran and jumped into the river, in the vicinity of Da Silver Beach, East Bank Essequibo. His three alleged accomplices managed to escape.
Dookram noted that after the men were seen in the area, persons began locking their doors and windows. She said she did the same and subsequently heard shouting outside her house. She said it was then that she ventured out and realised that the alleged bandit was caught and beaten by residents.
According to her, the Police were contacted and arrived at the scene shortly after the man was caught.
Another resident told this newspaper that based on information received, they realised that the men were planning to rob a fuel boat in the area.
Meanwhile, the alleged bandit that was caught was tied up by residents and questioned as to where the others were, but he did not respond.
Commander of D Division (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), Edmond Cooper confirmed the incident and said the young man who was caught is still in Police custody, but could not provide any details.
Residents told this publication that they were quite happy about how the alerted citizens, as well as the Police, handled the matter and added that they hope this can put an ease on the number of illegal activities in the area.
