Bandits held after shoot-out with police

Robbery aborted after woman screamed

Two men were arrested yesterday after police in Berbice discovered an unlicenced .32 semi automatic pistol and a matching round while conducting investigations into a report of assault with intent to commit robbery.

Police said that at about 5.30 am, Sookdeo Mitho, 63 and his wife, Somattie Mitho, 61, were attacked at their No. 76 Village, Corentyne home by three men, two of whom were armed with guns. The men had entered the house through an open door and held the couple by their necks. When the woman screamed, the men released the couple and made good their escape.

Police followed up on the report and with help from the community policing group, the three men suspected of carrying out the attack were found along the beach at No. 74 Village, Corentyne.

The men opened fire on the police, who engaged them. Two of the men were subsequently arrested and the gun and ammunition was recovered while the third escaped.   The men arrested gave their addresses as Princes Street and Hill Street in Georgetown.