Bandits rob Berbice NDC of $1.4M after holding guard at gunpoint

The Ordinance Fort Lands- Number 38 Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was, in the wee hours of Thursday, robbed of $1.4 million in cash.
The perpetrators forcefully gained entry into the building at Cumberland, East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne). The security officer was reportedly held at gunpoint by one of the bandits while the other was executing the robbery.
The 64-year-old security guard recalled that he was seated in the guard hut when he heard a knocking at the gate, and shortly after, he was confronted by two masked men in dark-coloured clothing. Both of them, he added, were armed with guns.
He told Police that one of the men held him at gunpoint while the other made his way to the building, where he broke the access door after removing the hasp and staple and padlock.
Chairman of the NDC, Roy Jaffarally, said the former NDC Overseer, Godfrey Evans, who lives opposite the NDC office, claimed that he had just returned from the airport at about 3:00h when he heard a banging sound.
However, out of fear, he did not venture out of his house, but moments later he went to the guard, who related the ordeal.
Guyana Times understands that the intruder gained access to the overseer’s office and removed the contents from the canister.
According to the NDC Chairman, they only received $1.2 million on Wednesday afternoon.
“That money was to pay the part-time workers, and we had approximately $191,000 from taxes collected and councillor’s stipend that amount to $191,000.”
According to the Chairman, about half of the part-time workers were already paid. The money which was received on Wednesday was to pay another 40 of them.
The bandits reportedly escaped on bicycles.
Jaffarally said the Police are investigating the matter.
“They are questioning all of the workers; there were twenty of them on duty yesterday, the overseer would have already given a statement. Also, the watchman would have already given his statement.”