Armed bandits invaded Harris Paints on Water Street, Georgetown yesterday morning and held workers at gunpoint before carting off approximately $4 million in cash.
Sunday Stabroek was reliably informed that the attack occurred around 10 am at the Lot 10-13 Water Street, Georgetown location. Three men, who were armed with guns, entered the business and held the four employees on duty at gunpoint before reliving them of their cell phones.
The bandits then ordered a worker to open the safe, which contained the money.
In fear for her life, the worker complied.
The cash, Sunday Stabroek was told, was already in safety deposit bags.
The bandits made good their escape in a car that was parked nearby.
No injuries was reported.
The police were summoned and an investigation has been launched.
When Sunday Stabroek visited the scene yesterday, the police, including ranks from the Crime Scene Unit, were present. They were still taking statements from the workers.
In wake of the robbery, the business closed its operations for the day.
The robbery occurred one day after the Guyana Police Force unveiled the activation of its Christmas policing plan, which includes an increase in police presence and the setting up of police booths in and around the city.
When this newspaper visited the section of Water Street where Harris Paints is located, no police booth was seen in the area.
Crime Chief (ag) Michael Kingston during his presentation on Friday had said that policing will be intensified as during this period it is known that there will be a high increase in economic activities.
Kingston had explained that while emphasis will be placed on addressing issues of crime in all the regional divisions, special attention will be given to Regional Division 4(a)—Agricola- Cummings-Lodge—which accounts for 41.3% of the total serious crime in the country.
Meanwhile, Comman-der of Region 4 (a) Assistant Commis-sioner Marlon Chapman had said the plans would see increased patrols around the city, including in the business district, roadblocks, stop and search exercises and foot patrols.
Chapman added that motorcycle and vehicular patrols will also be done on a 24-hour basis through a shift system. The measures were expected to be rolled out from last Friday and are to be maintained until January 15th.
