Police nab 1 suspect, other escapes during D’Urban Street shootout

GTT store robbery

One of the bandits that executed a daring robbery on the GTT kiosk in the Giftland Mall was nabbed by Police on Tuesday while his accomplice managed to escape capture during a police shootout on D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown.

The two bandits as they walked into the Giftland Mall on Monday evening

According to Commander of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas, the police used social media to track down the two bandits. Police went to the location on D’Urban Street but upon spotting the police, one of the men discharged a round in their direction.
Police retaliated by returning fire but one of the men escaped through a yard and onto Princes Street, then into the Le Repentir Cemetery. During the exchange of gunfire between the police and the bandits, a parked car was damaged.
On Monday evening, the two bandits robbed the GTT store on the ground floor of the Giftland Mall, Plantation Pattensen, Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. Reports stated the robbery occurred at about 21:00h when the men, one armed with a handgun, pounced on the sales clerk.
As the gunman whipped out his gun, persons in the line waiting to pay their bills panicked and started to run. After the robbery, the men ran out of the mall but it is unclear whether a vehicle was waiting outside for them.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, owner of the mall, Roy Beepat, admitted that security concerns need to be addressed moving forward. He failed to address why security guards were not present to render assistance. He, however, lamented the authorities for denying his application for supernumerary arming the Head and Deputy Head of their security.
Police are investigating.