Searches are being done in the New Amsterdam and East Canje Berbice areas after an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) stationed in Region Six “misplaced” his firearm on December, 27, at a gymkhana which was being held at Reliance. Commander of Region Six, Senior Superintendent, Shivpersaud Bacchus yesterday said, “there was an incident and during the incident a police officer firearm was misplaced… I don’t want to say stolen, it was misplaced.”
Bacchus yesterday stressed that an internal investigation has also been launched into the matter.
Following the incident, the police had released a report that an off-duty Berbice Police Constable and a friend of his were injured after a fight between two groups of men at the gymkhana held at Reliance, East Canje Berbice. Tariq Mc Kalmon, a Police Constable stationed at the Central Police Station, and Lofon Humphrey, 39, a labourer of Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam were injured in the fight which occurred around 11 pm. However, Stabroek News was told that the ASP, who is new to Berbice, arrived at the location during the alleged turf fight and allegedly attempted to discharge a round in the air. This resulted in persons grabbing on to him. His firearm was reportedly taken away and the magazine was later found at the location after the crowd dispersed.
Questioned on whether the ASP sustained any injuries during the commotion, Bacchus said no report of such was made. However, persons who were at the location claimed that the ASP was assaulted.
Meanwhile, police have been searching extensively for the missing firearm. Stabroek News was told several houses of known characters in Adelphi, East Canje Berbice were raided on Wednesday evening. Items were seized and a quantity of cannabis was found.
Timothy Sampson, 35, of Lot 26 Adelphi Plantation said that he arrived home around minutes to 12 on Wednesday night and he noticed that his entire house had been ransacked. He said, his motorcycle and car parked outside of the yard were also taken. “I get to understand the police were here from neighbours… After here I going to the station to find out because nobody ain’t come to me yet.”
Sampson said that his wallet was also taken from the house. According to him the wallet contained his driver’s licence and around $250,000 in cash.
He said that he is upset that the police barged into his house and ransacked it without informing him. “I would a respect it if them did tell me because I don’t have a problem for them to search because nothing is here… I get a lil daughter and if she was here then that would a wrack she up” However, Commander Bacchus yesterday refuted these claims. He stated that when they arrived at the location Sampson fled and as such the items were seized as part of the investigation.
Sampson, who has been before the courts on robbery charges in the past, cleared his name of having knowledge of any officer’s firearm yesterday. He said, he was at the gymkhana but left before the fight. After being informed of the raid, Sampson turned himself over to the New Amsterdam Police Station just before 1 pm. He has since been held for questioning.
