Two gun-toting bandits terrorized vendors at the Port Mourant market around 3:30 am yesterday, battering and robbing a huckster of $57,000 while a vendor was robbed of $3,000.

The bandits fired three shots in the air as they escaped, sending other vendors and hucksters scattering for cover in all directions.

Five suspects have since been taken into custody and an identification parade is expected to be held today.

The bandits gun-butted the huckster, Dhanmattie Ramdat, 46, of Mara, East Bank Berbice and dealt her several cuffs in her face because she dared to put up a fight to protect her money. The woman who sells at the New Amsterdam market refused to hand over the cash.

A scuffle ensued between her and one of the bandits and she tore his shirt in the process.

Her bravery must have angered the bandit who whipped out a gun and dealt her the blows. The woman who sustained injuries to face and ears fell while the bandit started hitting her.

The gunmen also demanded money from Ruth Brijlall, 39, of Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder and she was forced to hand over $3,000.

Ramdat was about to make a purchase when one of the bandits pounced on her and told her to “give me the money.” Unaware that she was being robbed, the woman responded that she did not owe him any money.

The other vendors are fearful for their lives and have called on the police to protect them because they risk their lives to be out at wee hours every morning to ply their trade.