A woman and her children were left traumatised yesterday after being attacked in their car at knife-point by three bandits in front of a Sheriff Street fast food outlet.
Following the attack, the security guard at the fast food outlet managed to apprehend one of the bandits, while his accomplices escaped.
Speaking with Stabroek News last evening, a traumatised Lystra Crandon explained that she was running errands for her daughter’s birthday when the attack occurred.
According to Crandon, she had visited a city bank to clear a cheque, however, due to the long line, she opted to use the ATM and withdrew $140,000.
After her errands, Crandon said, she made several stops before ending up at the Miami Pizzeria at Sherriff Street, where she was going to purchase food around midday.
Having arrived at the location, Crandon said, she was trying to quiet her children in the back seat when three men exited a car and approached her parked vehicle before proceeding to “pick” the lock as she and her children sat there.
“I told myself, ‘God, is either I die here today because I’m not going down without a fight; I’m not going to let them take anything from me,’” Crandon recounted to Stabroek News.
Crandon screamed, causing the men to panic as persons from inside the food outlet were alerted and security personnel came out to see what was going on.
However, even though she put up a fight, Crandon’s valiant efforts proved futile as the thieves managed to escape with her handbag, which contained the money she withdrew from the bank and other personal items, including her passport, bank cards and a cell phone.
Realising what had transpired, the woman said the security guard gave chase after one of the bandits, who ran in the direction of David Street, Kitty, while the other two got away in a car which drove in the direction of the seawalls.
Fortunately, the security guard was able to apprehend the bandit who tried to escape on foot and he was subsequently arrested by the police.
According to Crandon, after the man was taken into custody, she learned that he was no stranger to the police as they already have a record of him in their system. While his accomplices remain on the run, Crandon said, the other man is expected to make a court appearance.
