Pastor, husband carjacked outside home
A pastor and her husband were held at gunpoint and forced to hand over their car at around 21:00 hrs on Friday after three armed men confronted the couple and their 11-year-old daughter outside their Industry, East Coast Demerara home.
Edward Skinner, 59, and his wife, Savitri, who is a pastor, were attacked by the men, who had arrived in a white Toyota Allion.
The robbers, and their driver, escaped with the couple’s silver-grey Toyota Premio, PRR 2124, as well as Pastor Skinner’s handbag and cash, which included some of the church offerings. The car also contained some items that the couple had bought at Stabroek Market before heading home.
Mr. Skinner said he was unable to identify the attackers, who wore dark clothing and had toques partially concealing their faces. He confirmed that the family were heading home from the East Bank of Demerara, but had stopped briefly at the Stabroek Market. They then headed to Industry, while travelling along the railway embankment. His wife was driving, but none of them recalled seeing anyone following them.
However, just as they turned into their driveway, the occupants of a white Toyota Allion also stopped a short distance away.
The couple’s daughter came out of the vehicle to open the gate and it was then that three men exited the parked car and held a gun to Mrs. Skinner’s head.
The men then ordered their victims to go into their yard. After they complied, the carjackers entered the vehicle and drove off in both cars in the direction of Georgetown.
While admitting that the family was “shaken” by the incident, Mr. Skinner said that it would not deter them from “doing the work of the Lord,” and they plan to attend a crusade today.