Five armed, masked bandits chopped a No. 11 Village, Corentyne businessman around 12:25 am yesterday after shooting their way into his house. They escaped with cash, jewellery and a quantity of phone cards.
Deochand ‘Suraj’ Hemchand, 32, who operates a grocery shop and liquor restaurant, was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he remained a patient.
A part of his ear was severed and he also
sustained injuries to his head, left palm and right elbow.
His wife, Yogita Hemchand told Stabroek News that he was in a stable condition but is experiencing a lot of pain.
She recalled that they were fast asleep and were rudely awakened by the sound of three gunshots at their bedroom window.
Her husband immediately grabbed his cutlass but by then four of the bandits who had already jumped up on the zinc shed and shot at a glass window with wooden bars entered the bedroom.
They overpowered Hemchand and took away the cutlass and dealt him the chops. They then ransacked a wardrobe and grabbed several pieces of gold jewellery.
According to Yogita, the bandits went into the shop and took away the proceeds from the day’s sales and other cash as well as a quantity of phone cards. She said they asked her for cell phones but she told them she did not have any.
The woman said the bandits “spent a long time in the house.” She pointed out that during the ordeal she held her terrified three-year-old son as they both looked on in horror.
Meanwhile the neighbours kept calling the police who arrived on the scene “about one hour after the bandits left and they only spend about five minutes.”
She was disappointed that the police did not patrol the area or conduct searches for the bandits.
The frustrated woman said this is the fourth time in four years that she has been robbed. She said her husband applied for a firearm licence and even went to meet Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee but it was still not granted.
She is waiting until her husband gets well to reapply. This time though she wants to meet with President Bharrat Jagdeo to explain their plight.