Police are on the hunt for three armed bandits, who stormed the Ace Shopping Centre located at Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Saturday, held customers hostage and exchanged gunfire with the owner, before escaping with cash.
Gunmen robbing the store
According to Police, the robbery occurred at about 17:00h on Saturday. In CCTV footage seen by this publication, one of the bandits, who was clad in a flap hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and blue jeans, approached the business place, walked up to the counter, whipped out a gun and grabbed a female customer, whom he forced behind the counter.
Additionally, customers who had just purchased goods from the shop were forced back into the store by the gunmen and held hostage. While that was happening, the third bandit ran in the business place and closed the doors behind him.
According to the shop owner, Hari Persaud, popularly known as “Ace”, upon seeing the bandits, he quickly picked up his firearm and entered a room, closing the steel door behind him.
The CCTV footage also shows one of the armed men running and firing shots behind Persaud and he subsequently attempted to kick open the door but was unsuccessful. While the first bandit was trying to get to Persaud, the others were seen ransacking the business, and located some cash.
“He tried to kick open the door but I brace it firmly. He pushed his gun and told me he will shoot me and I said I will shoot him back, and he start firing, and I return fire… the two of them later assault my staff and run out of the shop…”, he said.
Shortly after the men left, the businessman came out of his hiding place and discharged a round behind them.
Persaud said that the men made good their escape with about $50,000. He said he was not able to see their faces, since they were wearing face masks. Police are investigating the robbery. (G9)
