A Nigg, Corentyne, Berbice family is now considering giving up on their new business after an attack by masked bandits, who threatened to kill a three-year-old during their demands for money.
Five bandits attacked and robbed the owners of the Chill Grocery and Parlour, at Nigg on Wednesday evening at their home.
The robbers carted off a total of $95,000 in cash, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone valued at $70,000, and a Plum cell phone, valued at $15,000, as well as $35,000 worth of cigarettes and $30,000 in phone cards. However, the bandits caused emotional trauma to the family, as they threatened to kill the child as they demanded more money.
The men entered the shop around 7.40pm and the ordeal lasted for ten minutes.
Dharma Devi Kamalall, of Lot 195 Nigg South, Corentyne, Berbice, told Stabroek News, that she was about to close her grocery store when the five masked men entered the yard. The woman, who clutched her daughter as she spoke with this newspaper, explained that two of the perpetrators, who were armed with cutlasses, tackled her husband outside, while three, who were each armed with a gun, rushed into the shop. “Three a them jump the counter and come inside and put one gun on me and lash me in me head with one gun and start demand for money,” she stated, while adding that the man chucked her daughter as he warned her that if she did not hand over all of the money, they would kill the girl.
According to Kamalall, her 12-year-old daughter then dropped onto her knees and pleaded with the perpetrators not to hurt her family.
“Them keep demanding to go upstairs. Me tell them that me just open this shop, everything me get in this shop me give ayo and me refuse to take them upstairs,” Kamalall said. “Me pack all the cigarettes what them want in a bag and give them,” she added.
Kamalall’s husband, Nandeshwar Kamalall, a painter, was broadsided with a cutlass, leaving him with visible marks across his back. The man also suffered injuries to his face, while his wife sustained injuries to her head.
The family opened the grocery about seven months ago but is now scared to continue with the business.
Nandeshwar Kamalall also shared his frustration with ranks attached to the Albion Police Station.
According to Kamalall, he phoned the police after the bandits fled on foot but he was told by a female rank that no vehicle was available at the time. He relayed that the police arrived 30 minutes after the call was made, giving the perpetrators enough time to make their escape. “Them come half an hour after, take statements and gone,” he stated.
Meanwhile, neighbours said strange men had been seen liming in the area recently. One villager, who lives a couple houses away from the Kamalalls, said he saw persons, who are not known in the community, loitering at the head of the street a few nights ago. He added that he phoned the Albion police patrol, but to his dismay it never showed up.
Residents also called for street lights to be placed in the area.
