3 bandits shot while attempting to rob bank customer
– passports, pistol, handcuffs and other items found in car
Three suspected “trunkers” (those who break into vehicle trunks) were on Thursday killed in a shootout with Police ranks at the Kingston Seawall opposite the Guyana National Service Ground in Georgetown, reportedly after lunch, although the Police have claimed that the incident occurred at about 10:30h.
The dead men have been identified as 46-year-old Dextroy Cordis, also known as “Dutty,” a resident of Grove, East Bank Demerara; Kwame Assanah of Buxton, East Coast Demerara; and 57-year-old Errol Adams, also known as “Dynamite”, of Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast and of Buxton, East Coast Demerara.
Based on reports received, Police ranks performing duties in the vicinity of Scotiabank on Robb Street, Georgetown observed a motorcar with two suspicious looking characters prowling the area. Ranks of an anti-crime patrol were informed, and turned up in an unmarked vehicle. Those ranks followed the black Toyota IST motorcar, PTT 9034, which at the time was observed following a customer who had just exited the bank.
This car reportedly drove up to the customer’s vehicle and two men exited, one brandishing a small firearm at the customer. At the same time, the Police anti-
crime patrol pulled up and challenged the would-be bandits.
The one brandishing the firearm discharged several rounds at the Police, who returned fire, fatally wounding Cordis and Assanah. Seconds after this exchange of gunfire, two males on a CG motorcycle pulled up at the scene and discharged several rounds at the Police; who returned the compliment, shooting Adams dead while his accomplice sped away on the motorcycle.
The Police have reported retrieving a 9mm pistol and a magazine containing seven live rounds and four spent shells next to the body of Cordis.
Police, in a statement, revealed that Assanah and Adams had previously been arrested in connection with several offences; while Cordis had previously been granted bail on a simple larceny charge, to wit, ‘trunking’.
The motor car, which had been driven by Assanah, was searched, and a supernumerary precept, one driver’s licence, 10 passports belonging to him and family members, a key used by trunkers, two handcuff keys, a bandana, and several pieces of clothing were found therein.
However, while the Police claimed that their vehicle was damaged as a result of the exchange of gunfire, the car used by the bandits had no visible bullet holes.
When Guyana Times arrived on scene at the Kingston Seawall, the area was cordoned off, and the bloodied bodies of the three men were seen in the distance sprawled on the roadway as crime scene experts conducted their investigations.
Several persons in the area recalled hearing gunshots and seeing, soon after, the lifeless bodies of the men from a distance. There were no signs of a pursuit, one man has started.
A couple who were on the seawall at the time were reportedly seen scampering to
safety.
After hours of combing the scene for evidence, a senior member of the Force confirmed that the men were “trunkers” and that they were trailed from a commercial bank.
As the undertakers were taking away the bodies, two women, accompanied by a young man, arrived on scene and claimed to be relatives of Cordis. One woman screamed, “He was never a part of any illegal activities! Dem murder he!” However, without saying anything further, she boarded a car and sped away from
