Update on afc/apnu fund raising campaign on the airport route:

Airport bandit found in B/ce house with bullet wound

-accomplice remanded on birthday

A Plaisance man, who police are certain was among a gang of bandits that came under fire from the police last week, has been captured.
The 23 year old suspect was nabbed in a house at Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice, yesterday. At the time he was being treated by a woman for a gunshot wound to his upper hand.

Shawn Thom

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told this newspaper that the police of the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters, Eve Leary, acting on intelligence obtained, went to Berbice where they found the suspect.
The woman, who happens to be the suspect’s girlfriend, has informed police that the suspect had told her that he was shot by the police in Georgetown.
She was also taken into police custody to assist with the investigations.
Investigators say that the wounded man was in a gang that trailed a car load of passengers from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with the intention of robbing them. However their plans were thwarted when they were intercepted by ranks of the Guyana Police Force.
There was a shootout and the driver of the bandit car who was also wounded, was arrested.
At the time, the police were apparently not aware that another suspect was wounded. It was only after they received information about the suspect in Berbice that they realized how successful their operation was.
Meanwhile, the other man was yesterday remanded to prison, even as he celebrated his 37th birthday.
Former murder accused, Shawn Thom pleaded not guilty to three criminal charges when he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Thom, of Third Street, Alexander Village, is accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Prim Narine, a Detective attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm, on October 7, at Kitty Georgetown.
According to Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones, Narine was on duty elsewhere during the court proceedings.
It was alleged that on October 7, at Kitty, Georgetown, Thom allegedly had a .38 revolver in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.  Further, it was alleged that at the same location, the defendant also had three rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession.
The charges leveled against Thom stemmed from a recent confrontation between police and bandits, who are said to be part of a gang responsible for trailing and robbing incoming passengers from the CJIA. This matter comes up again on October 28, for report.
Thom, who told the court he is a taxi driver, had no legal representation.
During the brief afternoon court session, Thom took the opportunity to raise concerns about his health with the Magistrate.
He explained that since he was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) a few days ago, he has not been receiving medical attention.
Thom pointed out that upon his discharge from the GPHC, nurses had told him that his injured right foot has to be dressed daily. However, he said that he has not been seen by a medical professional since his discharge.
In addition, he told the Magistrate that today (yesterday) was his birthday.
Before the Magistrate made an order instructing that the defendant’s injured leg be treated every day, she wished him a happy birthday.
According to reports, last Wednesday the off duty cop had gone to the CJIA to pick up a relative, when he noticed a yellow IST following him all the way from the airport.
It was reported that the rank contacted his colleagues, informing them about what he had noticed.
Kaieteur News understands that the police turned up close to the rank’s home in Kitty and waited for him to arrive from the airport. When the rank arrived in front of his yard, a car with three men stopped a corner away from his home. Two of the gunmen reportedly exited the vehicle and were liming at a bridge, while one remained in the car.
The gunmen and the police exchaned heavy gunfire, which left Thom injured. The other two gunmen managed to escape, leaving a weapon behind. Police are still on the hunt for another suspect.