Robbing accident victims is distasteful – Police

As of recent, there has been a strange and immoral phenomenon that continues to engulf the Guyanese society. It has now become common that, whenever there is a vehicular accident, people would rush to the scene to steal from the victims.
In an episode of Police and You on Tuesday evening, it was revealed by law enforcement officers that there are several reports and numerous video footage of persons stealing from accident victims.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Stan Gouveia, persons usually pretend to be helping the victims, when in fact they are actually trying to gain access to their valuables. Items such as cellphones, wallets, jewellery and other valuables are taken from the victims on the pretext of assisting them. Vehicles involved in accidents are also looted before help is sought.
Assistant Police Superintendent Ray Marcurius, Officer-in-Charge of the Crime Laboratory, during the interview with the PRO, added that this act is distasteful, and needs to be stopped.

“We need the public support to stamp out and eradicate these kinds of behaviours. There are responsible persons who are there and who need to take charge of certain things until the Police get there. The Police (are) not going to be everywhere all the time…”, he said.
It is also the belief of many family members, who reported that their loved ones’ belonging went missing at scenes, that some of the accident victims probably succumb to their injuries because the preparators are busy filling their pockets instead of lending a helping hand.
Marcurius added that the level of immorality that exists in most accident scenes has reached the highest peak of inhumane conduct, and is “very upsetting to watch”.
“You see people in a position and you have an opportunity to help and you use that opportunity for personal greed. We need more programmes to educate people to move away from these kinds of behaviours…people need to speak out more as well”, he posited.
Only recently, a video footage that was circulating on social media and was seen by this publication showed two persons fighting somewhere in Guyana. During the fight, a man was seen trying to help separate the duo, and subsequently pushed his hands into their [the duo’s] pockets and removed their valuables.
It is still unclear if the man was arrested for this act. (G9)