Bandits on Friday afternoon shot a miner and robbed him of $2 million in cash, shortly after he made a withdrawal from a bank on the East Bank of Demerara.
Ron Gomes, 47, the proprietor of “We Mining Company” and a resident of Diamond Housing Scheme, was shot three times in the attack, which occurred around 2.15 pm.
Gomes, who was shot to left hand, shoulder and jaw, was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre before later being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he remained a patient up to yesterday afternoon. His condition was given as critical.
Sunday Stabroek was told by a police source that the attack occurred as Gomes was making his way into the MACORP compound at Providence to purchase spare parts. It is suspected that he was trailed from Republic Bank’s Diamond branch, where he withdrew the cash.
Two men, one of whom was armed with a gun, carried out the attack.
Sunday Stabroek understands that Gomes met with an associate at the bank where he conducted the transaction. They both then joined a waiting taxi and proceeded to a Providence location, where the associate exited to collect a vehicle.
Gomes continued his journey to MACORP. On arrival, the taxi parked in the parking lot, after which Gomes exited and made his way into the business.
It was then that he was accosted by the armed man, whose accomplice went to the taxi and attempted to open the doors but failed since they were locked.
The men then ordered Gomes to hand over the bag containing the cash. However, he resisted and was shot.
The bandits made good their escape in a white Toyota Allion.
Up to yesterday police had made no arrest.
