A doctor/importer narrowly escaped death yesterday when armed bandits fired a bullet at his head before fleeing with local and US currency along with other items which they had found while ransacking his Goedverwagting Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara home.
The incident has left Dr. Seodat Puran, who is also an importer, terrified and contemplating his next move. A worker who was with Dr. Puran was also gun butted during the 10 am ordeal and sustained minor injuries.
Police said in a press release last evening that they are investigating the armed robbery which occurred at S.P Worldwide Import and Export Co. According to the release Dr. Puran who is the owner of the business and an employee were packing cloth into a vehicle for delivery when the suspects disembarked a Toyota Carina AT 212 motor car, stuck them up and ordered them into a building where they were bound. They then robbed Dr. Puran, the release said.
“They demanded more money whilst discharging a round at the doctor which grazed the right side of his head. They then fled”, the release said adding that the injured man was later treated at the hospital and sent away.
A visibly terrified Dr. Puran recounted to Stabroek News that he and his worker were standing in the yard when they saw a grey Toyota motor car pass with two persons inside. Seconds later the same car stopped in front of the house with four men inside.
While noting that he became a little suspicious of the young men who were all well dressed, he said that he was unable to react since his gate was wide open.
He told this newspaper that one of the occupants came out with a folded notebook in his hand asking for directions to a seamstress. Another man who had also exited the car was close behind. At some point a third man came out of the car leaving the driver behind.
Dr. Puran said that the first man had a gun hidden between the folded notebook while another pulled a gun from his waist and forced him and his worker into the house at gunpoint. They were instructed to lie on the floor and not to make a sound.
He said that one of the gunmen guarded them in a room in the lower flat while the other two went upstairs and ransacked rooms looking for valuables. He said that the bandits found $US5000, $150, 000 Guyana currency and parts of a security system.
The man recalled that he was on his knees and did not even turn to look at the gunman guarding him. He said that he pleaded with the man who had his weapon pressed against the back of his head not to kill him and told him that they could take whatever they wanted.
Minutes before they fled the house, he said that the gunman guarding him fired a shot and he felt a burning sensation in his head. The man said that believing that the bullet had penetrated his skull he waited for the inevitable but nothing happened. He opined that the gunman willfully pulled the trigger since he had the gun pressed against his head.
The bandits he said spent about 15 minutes in his house before they left.
Several unarmed police ranks turned up at the home about ten minutes after the quartet had fled and according to Dr. Puran he was disappointed. He said that he expected to see members of the anti crime squad armed with their weapons.
The man said that his family living abroad is planning a trip here and he is unsure if he wants to inform them of yesterday’s ordeal because of the fear they would feel.
Dr. Puran, while noting that this is his first attack, said that he travels back and forth because Guyana is his home and it is where he feels comfortable.
“I don’t want to go and live abroad. It’s not my country but I travel a lot”, he stressed before adding that living overseas is not easy.
He added that he and his brothers have been operating an import business for several years but did not provide further details.
Up to press time last evening, police had not found the bandits or their getaway car.
