Suspect nabbed with gun, cash after Vryheid’s Lust robbery

Hours after robbing a business at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD), one of the alleged perpetrators was arrested while in possession of a firearm and an undisclosed sum of cash. Based on reports received, the incident on Friday involved a 27-year-old cashier from Mon Repos, ECD, a 28-year-old spray painter from Vryheid’s Lust, and several customers at the business establishment.
Initial Police investigations indicate that the victims were inside the business when two men arrived on a black XR motorcycle, dismounted and entered the premises. At the time, one of them was armed with a firearm and the other wielded a knife. During the robbery, Police said the gunman allegedly pointed the weapon at those inside, creating panic among customers. The 28-year-old spray painter was relieved of a cellular phone and a sum of cash, while the cashier was robbed of money belonging to the business.
The suspects then fled the scene on the motorcycle. However, public-spirited citizens attempted to pursue them, prompting the armed suspect to discharge several rounds. The gunfire resulted in damage to two motor vehicles in the area.
The escape took a turn shortly after when the suspects were involved in a collision, causing the motorcycle to crash into a nearby drain. The men abandoned the vehicle and escaped on foot, leaving behind the motorcycle and a haversack containing cash. Police reports stated that responding ranks later recovered two spent shells at the scene, while the motorcycle was seized and lodged as evidence. Investigators also retrieved and reviewed CCTV footage from the business premises to assist with the probe.
In a subsequent development later that night, Police conducted a search at the residence of a 27-year-old man from Plaisance, ECD, in connection with the robbery.
During a search of a bedroom in the suspect’s presence, ranks discovered a firearm wrapped in cloth and concealed in a clothes basket. When questioned, the man reportedly admitted that he was not a licensed firearm holder and was arrested. The firearm has since been lodged, and the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue into the armed robbery.