A Vigilance vendor has been arrested after he was found to be in the possession of a semi-automatic pistol.
According to a release from the Guyana Police Force, Colwin Barnwell called ‘Timmo’, a 34-year-old vendor of Vigilance was arrested at about 01.56 hours yesterday after he was allegedly found with a Glock 17 (9mm) pistol (serial number erased), along with two matching rounds of ammunition.
The release stated that ranks from Regional Division 4 ‘C’ were at the time on mobile patrol duty in Friendship, East Coast Demerara, when they saw Barnwell standing with a black plastic bag in his hand. On seeing the police, Barnwell started to walk away.
He was ordered to stop, but instead, attempted to run away. The ranks gave chase, and he was caught.
When the suspect was searched by police, they discovered the pistol and ammunition in his pants crotch.
The suspect was asked if he was a licensed firearm holder, to which he replied in the negative. He said that he bought the firearm when he was in the interior, in Aranka. He was then told of the offence committed and cautioned.
Barnwell was subsequently arrested and escorted to the Vigilance Police Station along with the firearm and ammunition, where it was sealed and lodged. He is currently in custody pending charges.
The release also informed that around 5.15 hours on Friday, ranks from the Sparendaam Police Station acting on information received, went to a two-bedroom house at Robert Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. A search was conducted in the first bedroom of the house, in the presence of the two occupants who were there at the time, a 30-year-old labourer of the same address and a 23-year-old plumber who resides next door. During the search, the ranks discovered a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun with no serial number and four live matching cartridges.
The two occupants were asked if they were licensed firearm holders but they opted to remain silent. They were then told of the offence committed, cautioned, and arrested.
