Suspected cutlass bandits arrested

…schoolgirl rescued after bandits crashed getaway car

Police have launched an investigation into a robbery under arms committed on several individuals at the Tide Restaurant and Bar at La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Monday.
Reports are that the robbery was carried out by five masked men armed with cutlasses at about 23:00h.
Police said during the incident, a 15-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly abducted by the suspects but was later rescued by police ranks after the perpetrators crashed their getaway vehicle at Pouderoyen Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
Victims of the robbery included 61-year-old businesswoman Sahodra Ghanshan, who was relieved of a Samsung Galaxy cellphone valued at $50,000 and a quantity of gold. The 15-year-old female was robbed of an iPhone 12 valued at $150,000 and a gold finger ring worth $200,000. Another victim, 18-year-old Raphal Sarwan, a cashier at the business, was stripped of an Acer laptop valued at $120,000, two iPhones worth $260,000, a Samsung A14 cellphone valued at $50,000, and $300,000.
Investigations revealed that at the time of the attack, 59-year-old Richard Ghanshan, the bar’s proprietor, had just concluded business and was in the backyard tending to his dogs while the other victims were upstairs. The suspects ambushed him, demanding cash and jewelry. One of the assailants struck him multiple times with a cutlass, inflicting injuries to his head before forcing him upstairs, where they confronted and robbed the other victims. Raphal Sarwan was also assaulted with a cutlass during the ordeal.
As the suspects fled, one of them abducted the 15-year-old girl, forcing her onto the public road and into a white Fielder wagon, PAH 7157. The suspects drove off in an eastern direction but later lost control near Pouderoyen, crashing into a trench on the eastern side of the road.
Police responded, arresting two of the suspects at the scene. They were identified as a 21-year-old from Thomas Street, Georgetown, and a 19-year-old from Church Street, Stanleytown, WBD. The 15-year-old female was also safely recovered.
A search of the vehicle, conducted in the presence of the suspects, led to the recovery of several stolen items in the back seat. Both Richard Ghanshan and Raphal Sarwan were transported to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where they were treated and discharged. The two suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.