A lone gunman, posing as a customer, yesterday morning held an employee of the Emperor Mineral Trading in Bartica at gunpoint before escaping with an estimated $2M worth in cash and raw gold.
Stabroek News understands that the incident occurred around 12.05pm yesterday at Lot 43 Second Avenue, Bartica.
The business is owned and operated by Milburn Mahadeo. Mahadeo, this newspaper was told buys and sell gold.
Commander of Region 7 Linden Lord told Stabroek News that an investigation has since been launched and efforts are being made to apprehend the suspect.
The gunman escaped with an undisclosed sum of cash, a quantity of raw gold and one cellular phone.
Reports revealed that just after mid-day yesterday, the gunman arrived at the business to enquire about the price of gold.
Whilst there, he interacted with an employee after which he was told to wait outside. The suspect subsequently made a call after which the employee asked him whether he had decided if he wanted to make a purchase.
However, the suspect responded that he wanted to call a friend who owed him some money and had gold to sell.
Moments after, the suspect went into another private office within the building under the pretext that he wanted to transact business.
As an employee there turned his back to the suspect, the suspect allegedly pulled out a “rusty” gun and ordered him to lie on the ground.
In fear for his life, the employee complied.
The gunman then tied up the employee and stole the items.
He then proceed to destroy the DVR of the security cameras before making good his escape.
The police were summoned. Up to yesterday afternoon, no arrest had been made.
