Police on patrol at Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, who on Tuesday night were in the process of arresting a man for possession of cannabis, subsequently arrested two others for assaulting a police officer and for disorderly behaviour after they tried preventing the initial arrest.
According to a police report, four ranks who were on patrol with the force’s vehicle PWW 5451, about 10:45 pm on Tuesday night observed two men and a woman standing near a fence on the southern side of Samaroo Dam.
As their vehicle approached the trio, one of the men, a 20-year-old suspect, threw a black bag over the fence and began walking. Police intercepted him and after retrieving the bag discovered that it contained several small resealable plastic bags with a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis. In a further search of his person, officers unearthed another resealable plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.
The suspect who was told of the allegation remained quiet but the woman who was with him and claimed to be his sister began behaving in a disorderly manner as she tried to free him from the police. Her actions drew a large crowd, from which some persons began assaulting the police.
The police were able to apprehend the suspect and managed to place him in the vehicle but while driving off, the woman jumped into the tray of the vehicle asserting that she was going with her brother during which time it is alleged she began stripping off her clothing while loudly proclaiming that it was the police who were stripping her.
The report further states that as the police vehicle proceeded out of the street, it found its path blocked by a lamp post, an old refrigerator and other items. It was at this point that persons began hurling bricks and bottles from different directions hitting the vehicle’s front windscreen and damaging it in the process. Some persons then charged towards the vehicle which was stationary by this time. This action prompted a police rank to discharge a round from his firearm which resulted in the crowd retreating.
Backup was immediately summoned which arrived shortly after and assisted the other ranks in the clearing of the obstacles. Another man from within the crowd was also arrested for assaulting the constable. They were taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station where they were placed in custody.
The cannabis which was weighed in the presence of the first suspect amounted to 63 grams and 4 grams respectively.
Meanwhile, the injured constable was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was treated and sent away.
Investigations are in progress.
