Burglars broke into an Enmore, East Coast Demerara business and carted off $2 million dollars in electronics and other items last Thursday.
The proprietrix of Designer’s Fashion and Fragrance, who asked not to be named, said she discovered the loss when she opened up her Lot 28 Logwood, Enmore store last Thursday morning. Cellular phones and two laptops were among the items taken, said the woman, who estimated her loss at $2 million.
The burglars broke through a wall at the north-western end of the building by removing a few layers of bricks. When this publication enquired about surveillance footage, the woman said that the building was not outfitted with cameras. She was doubtful that the culprits would ever be caught.
The owner also mentioned that Thursday’s break-in was the second one in two years. It was reported to the Cove and John Police Station but the businesswoman said a statement had yet to be taken from her.
She also alleged that although the persons responsible for the previous break-in were identified to the police, nothing was done to pursue them.
In an invited comment on the crime rate in the community, which has been spotlighted in recent weeks, a few residents said crime exists but not at an alarming level. One resident said he supports the call for the resuscitation of the policing group, which he believes will arrest criminality. “It is a shame and it signals to criminal elements that they can do what they like,” he noted.
Another opined that it was the internal power struggle that caused the collapse of the once “vibrant” community policing group. “Where robbery is concerned, it is a nationwide issue,” added a man, who charged the entire country to fight criminality in their communities.
‘C’ Division commander Christopher Griffith recently told this newspaper that Enmore only recorded nine break and enters and one robbery. He said the problem with the community was not the crime but the prosecution of offenders as he noted the refusal of some victims to give investigators statements or attend court to offer evidence.
The concerns about security in the community gained attention after the October 12 attack on Chandradat Purnadatt. Sunil’s father, Pandit Purnadatt, had written a letter to Stabroek News, expressing his concerns about the community coming “under siege” by “dope peddlers.” No arrest has been made to date in connection with the attack.
In a supporting letter, another resident, Taajnauth Jadunauth, also opined that crime will be better tackled in the community if the defunct policing group is revived. He also shared the view that victims are not cooperating with the police to see criminals being brought to justice.
