Two suspects have been arrested as Police continue investigations into a robbery-under-arms incident that took place at the Sridat Service Station at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara at about 22:30h on Boxing Day, December 26. The incident was allegedly committed by four masked and armed men.
Reports are that 50-year-old Ganga Deo Sridat, owner of Sridat Service Station, and a 35-year-old pump attendant were at the business place when the robbery occurred.
Suspect: Dinesh George
On Wednesday, December 28, Police said the suspects stole a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol with one magazine containing 15 live rounds of matching ammunition, a driver’s licence, a National ID Card, and an undisclosed amount of cash – all property of Ganga Deo Sridat.
Reports are that the owner of the business had gone to his business place in a motorcar, which he had parked on the eastern side of the gas station. He told Police that while exiting his car, two armed and masked men approached him, and one of them hit him to his head with an object which he believed to be a firearm, while demanding his firearm and cash.
He told Police that he told the men he had neither cash nor firearm, and that caused the two suspects to search him. During the search, the men took away his firearm and his wallet.
Suspect: Navindra Kunik
He said he was further instructed to open the door to the gas station shop, and the men took him inside the shop. The suspects then instructed him to give them the keys to the safe in the business place, and he told them that the keys were outside in the guard hut.
He said one of the suspects went and retrieved the keys, opened the safe, and took a quantity of cash, after which they tied him up.
Meanwhile, the pump attendant on duty told Police he had seen when his employer arrived, after which he had heard him screaming. He said he ran west of the gas station and was confronted by two other armed and masked males, one of whom had in his hand an object which he believed to be a firearm.
The firearm that was recovered after the robbery
The pump attendant told Police he was relieved of an undisclosed amount of cash along with his car keys, and was taken into the shop, where he was beaten even as he saw his boss lying on the ground.
He said the gunmen later escaped in his (pump attendant’s) car.
The matter was later reported to the Police, and the victims were taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital. Police have since arrested two suspects, both of whom have confessed to the crime. Moreover, the firearm stolen from the businessman has been recovered by the Police.
Investigations are ongoing. (G9)
