A Diamond supermarket was yesterday afternoon hit by robbers and cashiers who were held at gunpoint believe that they were saved by security monitors that frightened the robbers away.
The Trust Trading, which is operated by Chinese owners, lost $46,000 to the two gunmen who invaded the 3rd Avenue, Section 1 Block X Diamond, New Housing Scheme business yesterday afternoon.
According to cashier Naomi Jagdeo, she was over at her colleague’s counter talking as there were no customers in the store at the time when the men went in. She said they were ordered not to move except to open the cash register and then lie on the floor. She noted that she had seen a customer at the door about to enter but he ran away after he saw the gunmen.
Christiano Wongsonadi, an interpreter for the owners, told Stabroek News that the perpetrators arrived at about 1:45pm in a yellow cab, a Toyota Raum, and walked into the supermarket. Inside, they pulled out two pistols which were placed to the heads of the two female cashiers. He explained that one of the men, after looking up and seeing his image on a security monitor, fled the scene. The other, however, demanded the cash before he too made his escape.
“They weren’t aware they were being monitored by camera and when they realize, one run out and leave de other,” the man said. One of the men was said to be in his 50s, while his accomplice who was the first to escape was estimated to be in his mid-20s.
Wongsonadi said that the police had taken statements but had not yet held anyone in connection with the robbery. He added that while the camera had captured the perpetrators’ images, they are not very clear and the police have advised them against releasing the images to the media. However, he said that the lawmen have taken copies of the images to assist with their investigation.
Trust Trading stocks haberdashery, groceries, meat, beverages, OTC drugs, cosmetics and beauty products, stationery, confectionery, electronic appliances and accessories, plumbing accessories, animal products, cooking gas etc.
