Police allegedly invade Waiakabra gold miner’s home

Residents of Waiakabra, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, are furious because ranks attached to the Timehri Police Station allegedly invaded the home of a miner, claiming that they were searching for stolen items.
The actions of the Police have left residents to believe that they were planning to rob the man, who returned from the interior only on Friday.
Two of the ranks were dressed in uniform, while a female was dressed in casual attire. They all claimed to be ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Based on reports received, at about 2:15h on Saturday, residents of the village were engaged in a night of worship at the church when they saw a motorcar bearing registration number PVV 2207 passing and headed towards the man’s home.
A resident, Devika (only name given), stated that as the car passed, one of the occupants told the others, “People in the church”, but the vehicle continued driving towards the house.
The woman explained that the villagers became suspicious after they heard a loud sound, and upon checking, they saw one of the ranks kicking opened the door to the miner’s house.
She said the owner of the home came out and enquired the purpose of the visit. By this time the congregation had left the church and headed over to the man’s house, since they feared that the villager was about to be robbed by bandits posing as Police ranks.
The woman said the ranks all appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, and more so, one of the men was reportedly smoking.
“They were shocked because the area is usually very desolate and has very little electricity, and no one would be up at that hour; but because we had an all-night prayer service, we were there, and it was obvious they weren’t expecting that,” she added.
A sister of the home owner, Oslyn Wilson, related that the Police told her brother that they were there to search the premises for stolen articles in relation to a robbery involving his son.
However, the young man who is being accused works as an operator at a gold mining company in the interior, and was at his place of employment at the time; hence he could not have been involved in a robbery, as was reported by the Police.
The Police, she said, were quite adamant that they wanted to search the bottom flat of the premises.
“We asked for them to produce a search warrant, which they did not have; but because my brother was fearful, he allowed them in,” she said.
The woman added that as her brother opened the door, the Police entered the home as did the other occupants of the car. Upon seeing this, the church members followed.
“They went in and opened the wardrobe and cupboards, and immediately walked out back. It was as if they were not even searching for anything”, Wilson stated.
Upon questioning the ranks about the stolen items they were searching for, they could not provide a response.
It is based on their actions that the residents are of the opinion that had the church not been in session, the occupants of the car would have executed a robbery.
When Guyana Times contacted the Timehri Police Station, a corporal related that he was not aware of an operation, and advised that the residents make a report to the station.
“A” Division Commander Marlon Chapman, when contacted, also said he advised the resident to visit his office and lodge a complaint, after which an investigation will be launched into the incident.