A daring midday robbery at Main Street’s Tower Suites where an accountant was relieved of $2.9 million cash, ended with two men being apprehended following a high speed chase by the police.
Police sources revealed that Curtis Vasconcellos, 23, of Albouystown and his accomplice, Jason Howard, 21, were caught after they plunged into a trench at East La Penitence Front Road. Police, acting on information, had given chase after the motorbike the duo escaped on.
According to information received, around 12:30 pm yesterday, the hotel’s accountant Baldeo Seegobin had just returned from Republic Bank’s Water Street branch with the $2.9 million cash. Shortly after the vehicle had turned in to the hotel’s parking lot, one of the bandits approached, armed with a gun.
It was related that the gunman began firing shots, one of which grazed security guard, Blamich Persaud on the abdomen. The 63-year-old man had been seated in the vehicle at the time.
The attacker then proceeded to shatter the front passenger side window of the car with the firearm, and grabbed the bag containing the money before escaping north along Main Street with his accomplice, who had been on standby with a motorcycle.
Police said that when apprehended, Howard admitted to having been in possession of a firearm, but stated that it fell under water when he jumped into the trench.
Ranks had not yet retrieved the weapon up to late yesterday afternoon.
Questions continue to be raised about how people leaving banks with money are being identified by bandits.
