Skip to main content

May 1, 2016 Source

A security guard attached to the Ramada Princess Hotel’s Casino is the second suspect to be arrested by the police in relation to Friday morning’s robbery and he has since admitted to being one of the two persons who plotted the crime.

Stabroek News was reliably informed that a total of seven persons carried out the early morning heist at the casino, which is located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, carting off a still undisclosed amount of cash.

The first suspect, Wayne Griffith, was held as the robbers made their getaway on Friday morning. The security guard who is now also in custody has been identified as Andrew Blackman.

Blackman, who was arrested between Friday evening and yesterday morning, reportedly told investigators that he was one of two persons who planned the act. A source said that under interrogation, he admitted to providing the bandits with the strategic information needed.

Blackman said that he and an accomplice, who is still wanted, conducted surveillance of the casino, on two occasions prior to the robbery. He worked on Thursday and ended his shift at 23:00 hrs, just over three hours before the robbery occurred.

Blackman reportedly told investigators that once he came off duty, he met the other men in the city where they rehearsed the plan before he retired home. It was also decided that after the robbery was carried out, the bandits would meet at a house in Albouystown where one suspect resides, and split the loot.

As was previously reported, the incident occurred around 03:45 hrs and resulted in five persons, including Lance Corporal 17352 Andrew Richardson, sustaining injuries.

Four of the casino’s employees, clerk Eon Garraway, 32; James Gregory; Orlando Knights and Udairan Sookraj, were shot to their left hand, left foot, left hand and right hand respectively. They were treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital and discharged. Richardson remains hospitalised.

The Guyana Police Force said in a statement that four gunmen entered the casino and discharged rounds in the air. They held up the security guard who was on duty and took away his shotgun and ammunition.

According to the statement, the men then ordered everyone to lie on the ground and they took the security guard to the cashier cage, where they held up the cashier and took away an undisclosed amount of local and foreign currency.

It was during this process that the perpetrators discharged rounds indiscriminately, resulting in four employees sustaining injuries, the statement said. Three patrons of the casino—Melissa Ferguson, Jermaine Mason and Roshel Fraser—were also assaulted by the gunmen.

Police ranks responded to a report received and confronted the bandits at the hotel, where there was an exchange of gunfire, which resulted in the police officer being shot, the statement added.

Contacted yesterday afternoon, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed that two persons are now in custody.

Blanhum said investigators are making every effort to arrest five other persons who they were unable to locate up to late yesterday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the vehicle which was used to transport the men to the scene, and which bore licence plate PRR 2545, was found on a dam, south of the premises. The men apparently gained entry to the hotel’s compound by driving up a dam, before scaling the fence.

Blanhum said the vehicle has been dusted for fingerprints. The vehicle was reported stolen last Sunday from Buxton.

A patron had told this newspaper that he was in the casino with some friends when he heard someone ordering everyone present to lie on the floor. He said at first he thought it was a joke until he saw one man armed with a gun. “I try to hide my money in my boots then another one come around me and say, ‘Fat man what you have there? Pass what you got’ and I throw my phone and give him,” the man had said.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Guards are for protection,well don't bank on that some can't be trusted,this fell should be put away for a long time.

They stole the vehicle from Buxton so the village will get the blame,i have a thought will hold my cards for the time,who are sharing this loot??.

Django
Last edited by Django

The damage to the country's image is already done. Many looking to fly in for the 50th celebration will be hustling to cancel their reservations.  The PNC supporters heeded Granger's call for a while but their patience has worn out as they resort to robbing and killing once again. 

FM
Drugb posted:

The damage to the country's image is already done. Many looking to fly in for the 50th celebration will be hustling to cancel their reservations.  The PNC supporters heeded Granger's call for a while but their patience has worn out as they resort to robbing and killing once again. 

That was done a long time,Maybe some big players are involved in the recent spate of robberies,you may never know.

Django
Django posted:
Drugb posted:

The damage to the country's image is already done. Many looking to fly in for the 50th celebration will be hustling to cancel their reservations.  The PNC supporters heeded Granger's call for a while but their patience has worn out as they resort to robbing and killing once again. 

That was done a long time,Maybe some big players are involved in the recent spate of robberies,you may never know.

Earlier this year with the decrease in crime, the image had improved. Now with bandits seeking financing for sporting during the 50th, we see an increase in crime and a decrease in the image.  A report a few years ago by the Commissioner of Police stated that there is an uptick in crime in the lead up to entertainment events in Guyana as bandits secure financing for sporting. 

FM

The first suspect, Wayne Griffith, was held as the robbers made their getaway on Friday morning. The security guard who is now also in custody has been identified as Andrew Blackman.

Them boys trying to "collect some "big change" fuh sport Independence".

 

FM
Django posted:

Guards are for protection,well don't bank on that some can't be trusted,this fell should be put away for a long time.

They stole the vehicle from Buxton so the village will get the blame,i have a thought will hold my cards for the time,who are sharing this loot??.

Vehicle stolen from Buxton!!! Was it report to the police. We will find out more about this.  

Something smells Fishy about this Crime situations. 

1. Indians are the usual target. But the police are solving most of these crimes recently. 

Rumjat openly say he has no time to meet businesses now.  

Questions. 

1. Is this a conspiracy to drive 5-10 thousands Indians out of Guyana. 

2. Solving the crime, will reflects good on the government .

The Police Association and Government is against shooting these criminals. Criminals get arrested, and Granger let them go...  

 

FM
Django posted:
Drugb posted:

The damage to the country's image is already done. Many looking to fly in for the 50th celebration will be hustling to cancel their reservations.  The PNC supporters heeded Granger's call for a while but their patience has worn out as they resort to robbing and killing once again. 

That was done a long time,Maybe some big players are involved in the recent spate of robberies,you may never know.

Why yuh gaffo go there Django bai. And apparently without any cause. Yuh mek meh haan drap.

FM
Last edited by Former Member
Drugb posted:
.

Earlier this year with the decrease in crime, the image had improved. Now with bandits seeking financing for sporting during the 50th, we see an increase in crime and a decrease in the image.  A report a few years ago by the Commissioner of Police stated that there is an uptick in crime in the lead up to entertainment events in Guyana as bandits secure financing for sporting. 

Why don't you admit that the PPP is now broke, given that they no longer have access to the treasury, and are now sending the Phantoms out to raise cash.

As you can see this clearly isn't a PNC thing, given the potential to scare away many who were planning to visit for the 50th.

FM
caribny posted:
Drugb posted:
.

Earlier this year with the decrease in crime, the image had improved. Now with bandits seeking financing for sporting during the 50th, we see an increase in crime and a decrease in the image.  A report a few years ago by the Commissioner of Police stated that there is an uptick in crime in the lead up to entertainment events in Guyana as bandits secure financing for sporting. 

Why don't you admit that the PPP is now broke, given that they no longer have access to the treasury, and are now sending the Phantoms out to raise cash.

As you can see this clearly isn't a PNC thing, given the potential to scare away many who were planning to visit for the 50th.

The PPP was never broke for the 28 years of oppression under the PNC.  Why you think they will be broke after one year of losing power?  Bai, try to come with something better nah!!

FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×