Sam Melville, a 44-year-old manager at a ranch in Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) was arrested with an unlicensed firearm and a live round of ammunition.
Sam Melville
According to police reports, Melville, who was employed at the Markanata Ranch in Central Rupununi, was arrested at about 00:30h on Sunday after he was found in possession of the weapon.
The Police ranks, acting on information received, went to a bar, Mountain Stream Lounge, located at St. Ignatius Village in Central Rupununi, where they contacted Melville.
At the time, the suspect, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, was seen dressed in short brown pants with a black object suspected to be that of a firearm tucked in his left side pants waist.
The ranks approached him and identified themselves as Police. Melville was questioned as to whether he was the holder of a firearm license, to which he said ‘No’.
The Police then took away the firearm from him, after which it was ‘cleared’ by one of the ranks, and one live 9mm round was found in the magazine.
Melville was cautioned about the allegation of ‘Possession of Firearm and Ammunition without License’. He claimed he got the firearm from his boss, Chris Moses, to protect the ranch. He was questioned as to the whereabouts of his ‘boss’, and Melville claimed he was somewhere in Georgetown.
Melville was arrested and escorted to Lethem Police Station, along with the firearm and ammunition.
He remains in custody, assisting with the investigation. (G8)
