“No chances taken” in apprehending ‘desperado’ – Home Affairs Minister

No chances were taken by Joint Services ranks on Sunday as they pursued prison escapee and convicted rapist, Akeem Wong – who was later located and fatally shot at his Groete Creek Backdam, Essequibo River hideout.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn commented on the success of law enforcement ranks during the sidelines of an event, where he contended that Wong was a ‘desperado’.
“This was a desperado, a rapist and a murderer out there. His actions resulted in the deaths of two elderly people. His actions also resulted, vicariously perhaps, in the death of a sergeant of the Police Force and there were apparently no chances taken,” Benn expressed.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said, the collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies signified an unwavering commitment to upholding law and order and ensuring the apprehension of individuals who threaten society.

A statement contended, “The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all citizens within Guyana’s jurisdiction. The Ministry is dedicated to law enforcement and works tirelessly to uphold justice and maintain public order.”
Benn was in Saxacalli along the Essequibo River on Sunday, where he convened with the Joint Services team to coordinate efforts in the pursuit of Wong.
The convicted prisoner was serving a 15-year sentence for rape, eluded authorities and fled from the confines of the Mazaruni Prison compound on February 15. Wong, called “Bin Laden”, and another inmate, Gilbert Gill, when escaped from the Mazaruni Prison were under the supervision of a prison officer, performing labour duties in a ‘wood bush’ when Wong requested permission to go defecate and was granted same by the prison officer.

About five minutes later, a check was made for Wong, and it was discovered that he had gone missing. Law enforcement officials have since been searching for him.
He was, however, sighted at Groete Creek Backdam on Sunday by a team of Joint Services members.
Police, in a missive, stated that upon seeing the ranks, the escapee allegedly emerged from some bushes and charged towards them whilst wielding a cutlass. He was fired upon and fatally wounded.
The body has been escorted to Bartica Hospital. At the scene, police found one cutlass, $4,700, three SIM cards, 1 flash drive, and memory card, one pair of scissors, four cigarettes, one flashlight with batteries, one fishing hook, CA$100, one cellular phone, and one lighter.
Meanwhile, David and Elizabeth Gomes were gruesomely chopped to death on March 8 while at their Saxacalli home.
It was reported that since the family moved to the city, they would return very often to clean their house and surroundings at Saxacalli. However, their routine visit took a sinister turn when an unexpected visitor arrived at their doorstep.
Wong reportedly approached the Gomes residence seeking food and directions. Police have said that Gomes’s six-year-old son related that about 15:00h on the day in question, the suspect visited their home and requested something to eat, while asking for directions. He was given food, and also took a few drinks with the child’s father.
The Police have said that after committing the act, the suspect attempted to wash down the blood, but in the process, he heard a boat approaching and ran into the nearby bushes, making good his escape.
Law enforcement was also told by the child that during the ordeal, the suspect was chopped by his father. The child, the Police said, took his father’s cellular phone and sent a voice note to one of his father’s friends, who in turn contacted the Police.
Following that incident, a member of the Joint Services was fatally shot by his colleague, a police constable, while hunting for Wong several kilometres from the village of Saxacalli, Essequibo River.
It was revealed that the cop sustained three gunshot wounds as follows: a graze to the right side of his abdomen; another graze to his right leg; and a wound made by a bullet that entered his left abdomen and exited through his right buttocks. That was the injury that ultimately claimed his life.
In its initial statement on the shooting, the Guyana Police Force had announced that a police constable had been placed under close arrest after he had “unintentionally” shot this police sergeant. The two were part of a police operation mounted to search for prisoner Wong. (G12)