Stepson among 2 remanded in $9.3M robbery of Canje businessman

– allegedly helped plan attack, served as lookout; never received share of stolen money

A 20-year-old man accused of helping to plan the armed robbery of his stepfather’s beverage depot in East Canje, Berbice, allegedly served as a lookout during the attack but never received his share of the stolen money.

Ravandra Bissessar is among two men remanded to prison in connection with the October 10 robbery, during which businessman Jagnarine Persaud, called “Balram”, was relieved of more than $9 million.
Bissessar and his co-accused, 27-year-old Lofon Humphrey, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court, where they were jointly charged with armed robbery.
Police stated that the two men, while armed with a dangerous weapon, robbed the 57-year-old businessman of $7.5 million and US$8000 at his beverage depot at Number Two Village, East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) approximately 19:35h.
Neither accused was required to plead to the indictable charge.
Information obtained about the investigation indicates that Bissessar allegedly admitted to helping plan the robbery of his stepfather’s business and serving as a lookout while three other men entered the premises and carried out the attack.
Bissessar reportedly told investigators that following the robbery, he attempted to contact the three men to collect his share, but none answered their phones. Consequently, he claimed that he never received any of the proceeds.
During the court proceedings, Attorney-at-Law Akim Lampkin, representing Bissessar, applied for bail, arguing that although the charge was serious, its seriousness alone should not justify refusing bail, which should not be used as a form of punishment.
However, Police Prosecutor Sergeant Collin Clarke objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence and the use of a dangerous weapon.
Clarke told the court that both accused had allegedly made admissions concerning their involvement in the robbery during video-recorded caution statements. The prosecutor also drew the court’s attention to Bissessar’s previous convictions for similar offences, including larceny, and raised concerns that he could be a flight risk.
Clarke further informed the court that other persons were allegedly involved in the robbery.
Following the submissions, Magistrate Matthias refused bail, taking into consideration the seriousness of the charge and Bissessar’s previous convictions.
Both men were remanded to prison.
According to information previously provided by the businessman, he was preparing to leave the establishment with his wife and son when three masked men armed with a handgun, a cutlass, and a baseball bat entered the premises.
The bandits confronted Persaud and demanded money, with one of the gunmen allegedly threatening to kill him while holding a firearm close to him. The perpetrators reportedly searched drawers, took cash, and fled in a dark-grey motor car toward New Amsterdam.
The businessman said the ordeal lasted about 15 to 20 minutes. No shots were fired, and no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, the prosecution informed the court that the case file was complete, with statements expected to be provided when the matter returns to court on October 26.