A 36-year-old taxi-driver was shot in his hand as he tried to fight off a bandit at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo on Saturday night.
Fazil Alli of the Tuschen New Housing Scheme was also gun-butted and relieved of his jewellery by the bandit, who was armed with a handgun. Police, in a press release stated that they are investigating the armed robbery which occurred at about 8:45 pm on Saturday.
A police source told this newspaper that Alli, who operated his taxi at the Tuschen New Housing Scheme, was hired by the man to take him into the Scheme. The man gave him directions and they ended up in the western section of the Scheme, where the bandit told Alli to stop. The man had apparently noticed the jewellery that Alli was wearing, the source said.
After the vehicle stopped, the robber got out, pulled out the handgun and ordered Alli to come out of the vehicle. When he came out, the source said, Alli “scrambled” the gunman and in the process he was shot in the palm of his left hand. During the scuffle, another shot was fired but did not hit him. As they struggled, the bandit hit his victim repeatedly in the head with the handgun and Alli fell into a semi-conscious state. At this point, the bandit relieved him of a gold band and four gold rings and ran away.
Alli was taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, treated and sent away. Up to yesterday the police had not yet arrested anyone. Investigations are continuing.