Cash, jewellery recovered after armed robbery on Essequibo Coast

Police in Regional Division Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have arrested two men as they investigate a robbery under arms at Huist Dieren, Essequibo Coast. Reports are that at about 13:30h on Monday two men approached 30-year-old hotdog vendor, Andrea Singh, claiming that they were employees of the Finance Ministry. According to Police, Singh was at home with her one-year-old child and 83-year-old grandmother, Samaria Harichand. According to the victim, two men wearing surgical masks asked to see her grandmother’s identification card. Singh told investigators she became suspicious after smelling alcohol and cigarettes on the men. One of them requested water, and as she provided it, both men reportedly rushed towards her. One pointed a gun at her and forced her into the house while the other restrained her grandmother.

The suspects relieved Singh of four gold rings and a gold band valued at $450,000 before demanding more valuables. Singh said she handed over $1.5 million and US$1,500 (equivalent to about $300,000 GYD) hidden in her bedroom. The men then searched the kitchen and other rooms, but Singh managed to escape and raise an alarm. The suspects fled west from the premises. Police responded shortly after and, acting on information, went to an abandoned property at Huist Dieren, where they found a39-year-old labourer, Alim Fareed, of Little India, East Corentyne, Berbice, hiding in nearby bushes with a haversack. Inside, officers discovered $700,000, US$1,570, €230, and a quantity of cannabis weighing 584 grams. Fareed was arrested.
Later, police also detained a 27-year-old Nicholas Christopher of East Corentyne, Berbice. He allegedly admitted to his role in the robbery and led investigators to $291,000 and US$20 concealed on the ground. He also directed officers to a toy gun, clothing, and two gold rings hidden in a pair of pants, which Singh later identified as her property.
Further searches in the area uncovered a black haversack containing US$820.
In total, police recovered $991,000; US$2,410, €230, and two gold rings. Both suspects remain in custody assisting with the investigation.