Bandits on Sunday morning attempted to break into the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, but their efforts were thwarted after an alert Police Officer during routine checks saw the men who had already cut a hole in the fence.
KODAK Digital Still Camera
Reports are that shortly after midnight four armed men were seen in the compound of the Police Outpost. Guyana Times understands that the Outpost at the time might have been securing high-powered weapons of the Guyana Police Force.
It is believed that the Force had taken the weapons there as a reported attack was being planned on the business community. B Division (Berbice) Commander, Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves confirmed that it was unusual to select a police outpost as a target to break into.
B Division Commander Lyndon Alves
“To attempt an attack on law enforcement and more so, a police outpost is a grave concern for this division and the administration of this Force. What I am happy about is that the ranks were alerted having been privy to information as it relates to the said attack. There were some systems that were put in place and as a result of those systems, they were able to thwart the attempt by persons unknown.”
Residents of the community reported that shortly before midnight they heard persons asking whether the patrol vehicle had already left.
This publication understands that intelligence led Police to believe that there was a planned attack on the business community of the town – more so, on one businessman who was previously attacked, but Police in the area were able to foil that alleged assassination plot.
On October 2, 2017, a detective constable intercepted a man with a .38 revolver at Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town.
After questioning the suspect, investigators were told that he was supposed to execute the businessman. One month later, a Rose Hall Town businessman was shot by two gunmen.
Rajendra Prasad, called “Bobby”, of Bobby and Son Boutique, located at Arch Road, Rose Hall Town, received two gunshots – one to his abdomen and the other grazing his head. He survived the attack.
It is believed that Police intelligence led them to believe that the plot was to ‘finish the job’. Meanwhile, on Sunday, shortly after the thwarted attack on the outpost, residents said they heard gunshots.
In recent times the Sergeant in charge of that outpost has been receiving threatening phone calls. The Sergeant is said to have been instrumental in putting an end to criminal activity in and around the town.
Back in 2016, Rose Hall Town was a major concern to crime fighters as robberies, burglaries, and theft were almost daily occurrences. Now instances of such crimes are almost down to zero. The Station Sergeant is allegedly being referred to as ‘public enemy number one’ in criminal circles.
There are also reports that on Saturday evening persons were heard asking whether the Sergeant’s car was at the station or whether he had gone home. This newspaper was told that the lighting around the Outpost was poor.
At the time of the thwarted attack, Guyana Times was also told that there were two officers at the Outpost. When questioned, the Commander stated: “There was an adequate amount in numbers to adequately protect the station and assets therein.”
Meanwhile, as the Division had put mechanisms in place following information on the pending attack on the business community, members of the Major Crime Unit were seen in Berbice on Saturday evening. (Andrew Carmichael)
