Berbice labourer robbed by cutlass-wielding bandit

A 21-year-old labourer of No 58 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Sunday evening relieved of his mobile phone and cash while heading home from a party by a cutlass-wielding bandit who is known to the victim.
The incident reportedly took place at First Street, No 58 Backdam, at about 21:00h on the day in question.
Based on reports received, the victim, Eric Haripersaud, and the suspect are known to each other. However, on the night in question, the victim was walking towards his home after leaving a birthday party when the suspect, who was armed with a cutlass, attacked him from behind.
The suspect reportedly placed the cutlass to Haripersaud’s neck and relieved him of his mobile phone that he was holding in his hands. After doing so, he allegedly pushed his hands into the victim’s right-side pants pocket and took out $15,000 that he had in his wallet.
After relieving the young man of his personal items, the suspect revealed his identity to him.
Upon seeing his face, the suspect reportedly chopped the victim to his neck. In trying to defend himself, Haripersaud then picked up a piece of wood and as he advanced towards the suspect, the well-known taxi driver made good his escape.
An alarm was raised and the victim’s friends rushed to his assistance during which he told them of what had transpired. He was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he was examined and treated by a doctor on duty.
A report was subsequently made to the Springlands Police Station. The police immediately went to the suspect’s home where he was told of the allegation, cautioned and arrested. A search was conducted at his home for the stolen cell phone and cash but none was found.
The suspect remains in custody at the No 51 Police Station assisting with the investigation.