An Agricola, Greater Georgetown man was shot dead by Police on Thursday in a bid to escape after robbing a taxi driver and a cattle farmer.
Dead bandit: Melroy Solomon
Dead is 27-year-old Melroy Solomon, called “Souce Mouth”, of Titus Street, Agricola.
According to Police reports, about 10:50h on Thursday, a taxi driver was robbed of his 212 motor car and personal items at Seventh Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD) by two males, who hired him to purportedly go to an ECD destination.
The matter was reported, and the stolen vehicle was intercepted by Police ranks in an unmarked vehicle at Mahaicony. However, the suspects reportedly discharged several rounds which struck the vehicle, and sped into Esau & Jacobs Village, Mahaicony, but they were later forced to abandon the vehicle after it got stuck in a ditch and they escaped into the backlands.
The firearm found at the scene of the shooting
The suspects then abducted and robbed a cattle farmer of his phone and clothes before ordering him to take them out on a horse to a location at Branch Road, Mahaicony, that led to the public road. The farmer complied.
The perpetrators then boarded a taxi, but were again intercepted by the Police, who ordered the men out of the vehicle. One of the suspects quickly exited the vehicle with firearm drawn and began shooting at the Police, who took up tactical positions and returned fire during which the gunman was shot. The car then sped away with the other suspect inside.
The injured bandit was rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Investigators have recovered an unlicensed .32 semi-automatic pistol with four live rounds and two spent shells at the scene.
According to the Police, Solomon was previously charged with armed robbery.
Investigations are ongoing.
