Burning debris at Vigilance causes traffic delays; Police maintain presence in area

Probe into missing Surinamese men

The situation in Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, continued on Wednesday, a day after a series of incidents in the area saw a sand truck set on fire and access points blocked with burning tyres, wood, and other debris.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a traffic advisory on Wednesday, warning motorists of delays along the East Coast corridor in the vicinity of Vigilance due to the blocked roadway.

According to Police, traffic ranks, supported by anti-crime Police, were on the ground working to facilitate the safe movement of motorists and maintain access through the affected area.
The latest disruption comes after Police said several incidents occurred in the Vigilance-Buxton area on Tuesday afternoon.
At about 16:40h on Tuesday, Police ranks proceeding to a location at Vigilance in connection with an ongoing investigation encountered several persons who had blocked access points with burning tyres, wood, and other debris.
The Guyana Fire Service was summoned, but Police said that persons in the area hurled debris at firefighters and continued adding combustible materials to the fires.
During the incident, Police received a report that a sand truck along the railway embankment at Buxton had been set on fire. Ranks responded and observed the vehicle with extensive fire damage to its front cabin. The fire was subsequently extinguished by the Fire Service.
Police also said they received information that several loud explosions, suspected to be gunshots, were heard shortly before the truck was observed on fire.
CCTV cameras have been identified in the surrounding area, and footage will be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
No arrests have been made.
On Wednesday, Guyana Times reported that the truck belonging to a road construction crew was set on fire at Vigilance Public Road while a group of persons attempted to prevent Police from executing a search warrant at a home linked to United States-sanctioned Mark “Demon” Cromwell.
Guyana Times had reported that the search was related to investigations into the disappearance of Surinamese nationals Van Dalen Siegiëllo Lorenzo, 28, and Derryl Danillo, 29.
Police had previously appealed for information on the whereabouts of the two men, who reportedly left their respective residences on August 28 in a white Toyota Vitz and were believed to be heading towards Nickerie, Suriname. They were last seen on August 29 after reportedly exiting the vehicle at Clarasluis, Nickerie.
On Wednesday, Police urged members of the public to avoid the affected area unless travel was necessary. Motorists approaching Vigilance were advised to reduce speed, remain alert to changing road conditions and comply with instructions from Police ranks.
Police also urged persons not to stop, gather, or obstruct the roadway or Police operations, while parents and guardians were encouraged to keep children away from the affected area.