…escape with millions in cash, jewels; 30 vehicle registration certificates
By Farah Bates
An East Berbice Corentyne businessman and his wife are now counting their losses after masked gunmen pounced on them on Sunday night and carried out a daring robbery at their Friendship, Corentyne home shortly after 8 PM.
The couple owns an agri-machinery business where they import combines and tractors to sell.
The businessman’s wife, 23-year-old Jessica Freddy said they were at the time having dinner in the lower flat of their home when the men attacked them; demanding money and valuables. She noted that the men entered from the back of their home and made their escape via the same route. Freddy noted that the men relieved them of cash, a cellular phone, gold and diamond jewellery along with 30 vehicle registrations including tractors, cars and combines.
Freddy who spoke with this publication said that she gave the men everything that she had in her possession as she was fearful for her life as well as her husband’s life.
“They come from the back and grab me and my husband and take us inside the house demanding money which I give to them. I give them $500,000 and one of them start demanding more and telling me that we have more money and this is not all because I have to get spending money and this can’t be all the money we have. I had $50,000 in my purse and I take it out and give them and they start asking me for gold. They take a diamond ring, two gold rings, a necklace, two watches, an IPhone and about 30 registrations for car, tractor and combine.”
The young woman said the ordeal lasted for about 20 minutes after which the men tied the couple inside the house before escaping into the backlands. Freddy said the men tied her feet only and they tied her husband’s hand and feet. She said they were unable to recognise the men since they all wore masks, surgical gloves and socks.
“They went through the entire house and ransacked part of it and then they put us to lay on the floor and tie us up next to each other, then they left. Since they tied my feet alone I was able to loose it out and untie my husband. They even hit my husband in his eye. If I had to sum up the losses we have it would be around 1.5 to 2 million dollars”
Freddy said aside from the $550,000 cash, she had a diamond ring worth US $3000, a necklace valued at $100,000 GYD, and a watch valued US $100.
She stated that after the men escaped, they contacted the police station and that effort proved futile as the lawmen never showed up.
“We call and never came here. We sit down and wait for about 45 minutes and nobody came. After going through all that trauma we had to go ourselves to the Whim Police Station and wait for a while. When we were about to leave, the police bus showed up and they came with us to our home.”
Freddy said she is thankful for life and that no one was severely injured.
An investigation has been launched into the matter. Up to late Monday afternoon, Commander Jairam Ramlakhan said that no one has been arrested but ranks are on the ground working to capture the suspects.
