Special Constable under close arrest

NIS robbery

As investigations continue into the armed robbery on the National Insurance Scheme at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on Thursday morning, a member of the Special Constabulary is under close arrest.

D Division Commander (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo), Leslie James when contacted told Guyana Times that the Special Constable was on duty at the time of the robbery. While he did not divulge additional information, he noted that investigations are ongoing and that detectives are working with several leads at their disposal.

The Constable under close arrest was reportedly relieved of his service weapon and six live rounds of ammunition on the morning of the robbery. However, from the inception, Police were working on the theory that the hit might have been an inside job, where information was divulged to the perpetrators.

At about 02:30h on Thursday morning, six armed men carted off $6 million after they torched a safe in the NIS building at Pouderoyen. They made their way into the premises by cutting the chain-linked fence at the back, after which they attacked the two security guards on duty – a male and a female.

The perpetrators then disconnected the alarm system, as well as the telephone lines, before forcing their way into the building by kicking down the door. Based on how they operated, it is believed that they were well briefed about the location of the safe.

Hours after the robbery, the two guards, including the one now under close arrest, alone with a supervisor and a junior employee of NIS, were detained. Based on further investigations, the male Constable was held under close arrest, while the others were released.

Although Old Age Pension is paid out on the first day of the month, persons who are self-employed were visiting the office to make payments.