West Ruimveldt businessman fends off bandits in robbery attempt

A businessman managed to foil a brazen daytime robbery after trading bullets with three armed bandits who attacked his wife at their Front Road, West Ruimveldt shop on Thursday.

The coupled stated that one of the three gunmen at approximately 11:00h approached the shop under the pretext of purchasing propane gas. Businessman Ravi Totaram explained that he was in another room at the time of the attack.

“I been in de kitchen and de wife open fo sell and he [the bandit] just rush she, choke she…I was looking at a bird and she holler: ‘Ravi!’ so I draw me weapon and when I look up…he start back off but I see two others outside…I shoot a couple of shots and they fire off couple shots too but nobody here was injured,” Totaram noted, pointing out that he is a licensed firearm owner.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene Police were still searching the area for the bandits and were questioning the businessman, over the sequence of events.

Totaram’s wife Faresha Khan who was still visibly shaken by the ordeal, managed to recall what happened:

“I told him $3300 for the gas and he had his money in his hand and when I open de gate, he rushed me and squeezed my neck and he (Totaram) pull a gun and start firing.”

The woman further explained that this prevented the bandits from being successful in their attempted theft. The couple said this was the first time a robbery attempt was made on their premises. The business has been in operation for over 30 years.

Residents in the area explained that they were alarmed by the gunfire and were fearful for their safety, especially that of their children, who are home from school and would normally play on the streets.

We [were] on de corner liming and we hear de shots and we run and come fo see if anything happen to Uncle Ravi [but] de people dem deh done gone,” stated Alana, only name given.

“This is nah safe because good thing we an went in de shop or other people because we couldda get hit,” the mother further noted.

A male resident, visibly annoyed, called for more police presence in the area.

“We need more police patrol because when de Police fo pass, they passing after or before,” he noted.

However, moments after these statements were made, Police were tipped off that the bandits supposedly hid the weapon in a nearby churchyard. Though the Police rushed to the scene, no firearm was found at that point.

Investigations are continuing.