A driver and loaders of a Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. garbage truck were robbed and physically assaulted by two gunmen while working the vicinity of Warlock, East Ruimveldt last Wednesday morning.
At the time of the attack, which took place at minutes to six, the garbage truck was in the Warlock area for garbage collection. The workers on duty at the time were said to be the driver of the truck and four loaders. However, only three of the five workers were held at gunpoint as two of the loaders had already left the truck and had gone ahead to get garbage bins unto the road.
Driver Kerwin Blackman and loaders Raulson Morrison and Haslim Dyal were relieved of their personal assets, which included their phones, cash and a wedding ring.
Morrison was also gun-butted, resulting in a wound to his head, and Dyal was injured to the mouth, causing a chipped tooth. The matter was reported to the East Ruimveldt Police Outpost but up to the end of last week no arrest had been made, according to Police Commander Edgar Thomas.
The men have since met with Puran Brothers’ Health and Safety Department and provisions are being made to assist them, according to Administrative Manager, Kalesh Puran.
Meanwhile, the city’s Director of Solid Waste, Walter Narine, has said that advice was given to the Puran Brothers Disposal Inc. on sending a written complaint to the city council on behalf of the victims, which will enable the council to legally go forward with any assistance for the men. Narine also stated that he has been meeting with his council on matters pertaining to the protection of the workers they would have contracted, whether they are assigned to Puran’s or Cevons Waste Management Inc.
While this newspaper was unable to contact any of the victims for a comment on the attack, it was told that the men had resumed work, while collection in the Warlock area which was hindered on Wednesday was completed on Thursday by other workers transported by a different truck.
