Two would-be bandits were yesterday captured and severely beaten by a group of persons after they entered the home of a North Ruimveldt, Georgetown resident and attempted to rob him of his valuables.
Commander of ‘C’ Division Paul Williams confirmed yesterday that the two men were up to late last evening under police guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH).
One of the suspects, who has been identified as Patrick Goodluck of Sophia, was said to be in a critical condition while the other, whose identity was not known was brain dead.
The incident occurred around 12.30 pm during which the victim, Roger Lovell, a barber of Lot 2977 North Ruimveldt, was gunbutted to his head and beaten about his body. He was also receiving medical attention at the hospital.
The Guyana Police Force in a press release said investigations have revealed that Lovell was at home sleeping when he was awakened by the men who demanded cash and jewellery. He refused and was beaten during which an alarm was raised. The statement said public-spirited individuals from the community responded, managed to disarm the gunman and allegedly inflicted a severe beating on them.
However, information gathered by this newspaper revealed that Lovell had returned home shortly before the incident, when he was attacked by the bandits who entered his apartment and held him at gunpoint.
They demanded that he remain quiet and hand over a gold chain he was wearing but he refused and a scuffle ensued. During this process, his uncle who resides in the upper flat of the house intervened and together they managed to fight off the bandits. It was while they were fighting that the firearm fell out of the armed man’s hand and residents, who by then were alerted, began to deal them blows about their bodies.
An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, explained that he was doing some work in front of his premises when he noticed the two men “patrolling” the area. “By time I turn meh back, I see them done gone in the yard and I know something was not right,” he said.
He said he learned subsequently that after the men entered the apartment, they locked the door and held Lovell hostage. “One of them hold the gun to he [Lovell] head while the other keep asking for the key fuh he motorbike. And he try start it up and he ain’t even know to do that,” the man explained.
He said while he was afraid to shout “thief” loudly, he quietly alerted his neighbours and together they severely beat the suspects.
“We didn’t kay. Is everything that come across we tek and lash them. One a them get it good in he head,” another resident stated.
A .32 revolver was recovered and investigations into the matter are ongoing.
