Robbery suspect nabbed after robbing Ruimzigt businesswoman, goldsmiths
– Police hunting accomplices
A suspected bandit who robbed a businesswoman at Middle Street, Ruimzeigh, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was arrested by alerted residents of Hague and handed over to the police. He has since confessed to the crime and provided police with the names and details of his accomplices.
The robbery reportedly took place on Friday at about 12:40h on the 52-year-old businesswoman and her employees. Based on reports received, the woman and her employees were held at gunpoint by four men – three of whom were armed with hand guns.
One of the suspects that were involved in the robbery
During the robbery, the businesswoman was forced to hand over two pairs of gold bangles, one pair of gold earrings, a gold ring, and a gold hand band. Her two workers, both goldsmiths, were also robbed of their cell phones.
The attack took place in a goldsmith’s workshop located on the lower level of the businesswoman’s two-story concrete house.
According to police, the businesswoman was in her kitchen when she spotted three men at her back door. She was held at gunpoint and ordered not to make a sound. The men then forced her into the workshop where her employees were working.
After robbing the trio, the gunmen demanded more valuables, and in a tense moment, one of them discharged a round in the businesswoman’s direction. The gunshot alarmed neighbours, who quickly rushed to the scene.
The suspects fled the house and escaped in a white Toyota Allion, HC 921 which was parked nearby. However, residents sprang into action and blocked the road, forcing the car to stop.
The gunmen and the driver abandoned the vehicle and escaped on foot toward the Ruimzeight backlands. The police were contacted and upon arriving at the scene, found one of the men tied in the backseat of the vehicle with a head injury.
He was later identified as 50-year-old Garfield Benjamin, also known as “Carry,” a fireman from Stewartville and a taxi driver by profession. Benjamin told officers that he had been forced into the robbery.
Benjamin claimed that earlier that day, he was operating his taxi near the Vreed-en-Hoop junction when he was approached by the men who requested to be taken to Crane.
On the way to their proposed destination, two of the men pulled out firearms and forced the taxi driver to stop the car. They tied his hands and feet with plastic straps and placed him in the backseat while one of the suspects drove the vehicle to the robbery scene.
Following the incident, police in Regional Division #3, (WCD) with help from residents, launched a manhunt. One of the suspects was captured in Hague on Saturday. During questioning, the suspect corroborated Benjamin’s story and provided investigators with information about his accomplices. Police are now actively pursuing the remaining suspects.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have commended the quick response and bravery of the Hague residents, whose actions led to the capture of a key suspect in the robbery.
