…escapes with cash, phone cards
The Police in D Division (West Bank Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) are hunting for four men who executed a daring robbery at a shop at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, on Friday evening. The incident occurred at about 20:00h. 
The four men, three of whom were armed with handguns and a knife relieved the owner, his staff and customers of their mobile phones and cash. In addition they carted off a quantity of phone cards and an undisclosed sum of money from a drawer in the shop.
Based on reports received, three men entered the shop and without hesitation, one of them whipped out a handgun and held the owner, Anthony Bashir, at gun point while the others ordered several customers and staff members into another section of the shop.
During the ordeal, a fourth bandit made his way into the shop to join his colleagues. The armed men then attempted to bind the hands of the owner but one vigilant customer who approached the shop realised that something was amiss and raised an alarm.
Several persons from a nearby ‘wake’ rushed to the business place but by this time the armed men ran out a back door and made good their escape through the backyard. No one was hurt during the ordeal.
Speaking with Guyana Times, Bashir explained that he normally closes his business at an earlier time but since there was a wake nearby, he decided to keep the business open. He noted that people at the wake were visiting the shop to purchase different items.
He added that at about 20:00h, the men walked into the shop under the pretence of purchasing an item and it was then they executed the robbery. Bashir noted that at the time, he along with his brother, three employees and several customers were at the place of business.
He further stated the one of the men was masked while the others were identifiable but he did not recognise any of them, which suggested that the men are not from the area. The entire ordeal was caught on CCTV camera which is presently being reviewed by the Police.
No arrests were made.
