Police using inter-agency approach to tackle carjackings

In light of the increased incidence of carjackings, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has announced that it is embarking on an inter-agency approach to crack down on the crime, which has seen a spike in the past several months.

This was announced at GPF Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown, where the public was updated on plans for increased security during the holiday season.
Over the past several months, bandits have been pouncing on motorists, especially those operating Toyota Allion and Toyota Premio motor cars, and often times, the motor vehicles are swiftly transported to various locations to be either stripped or overhauled. It was suggested that with the recent Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) restrictions on older models of vehicles, it is likely the bandits are stealing the cars for parts, the reason that many of the cars could never be recovered.
It was further related that certain auto-body repair shops are under the watchful eyes of investigators as some of these businesses are believed to be facilitating the criminal enterprise, with some even “cutting the cars”.
Police are, however, intensifying their campaign to stop the criminal activity. Acting Crime Chief Paul Williams, during the press conference, said that from the evidence obtained, carjacking gangs roam around looking for opportunities to pounce on unsuspecting drivers.
“These guys are just moving around scouting and as they see the opportunity where the person is being vulnerable, they decide to take the chance,” the acting Crime Chief observed.
As part of efforts to foil carjackings, Williams on Friday last met with all divisional detective officers and other senior Police Officers to iron out plans to nab the perpetrators.
Guyana Times understands that Police have approached certain mechanic shops with the hope of finding the hijacked vehicles, but have come across stumbling blocks. It is on this note, the multi-agency approach was conceptualised and more so, investigators will be armed with the tools and information on specifications to recover stolen cars.
It was in June that Police issued an advisory to taxi operators plying routes into and out of Georgetown to beware of carjackers hiring cars under the pretext of wanting taxis. However, the perpetrators have since upped the ante, and are now going directly to owners, attacking them and stealing their vehicles.
Just over a week ago, two persons attached to Guyana Times were relieved of their motor cars by gunmen – one on the Kitty Seawall and the other, 66-year-old columnist Rhyaan Shaw, in front of her home.
On October 16, 24-year-old Ryan Seecharran, of Third Street, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was on trial for a hit-and-run charge, had said that after he had just returned home, some time after 19:00h, two men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, appeared out of nowhere, and demanded money they claimed was owed to them. They stole his silver grey Premio, PVV 4911, motor car.