Fleeing motorcycle bandits fall in drain, leave haversack with cash behind

Two robbery suspects fell into a drain after their motorcycle collided during a police chase following an armed robbery at a business place at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, on Friday night, leaving behind a haversack containing cash and other items as they fled on foot. One suspect was later arrested and a suspected firearm recovered during a follow-up search, police said.
Police in Regional Division 4 ‘C’ said the robbery occurred around 20:00 hrs at a business place in Vryheid’s Lust and involved a 27-year-old cashier of Mon Repos, a 28-year-old spray painter of Vryheid’s Lust, and five other customers who left before their particulars could be obtained.
Investigators said two men arrived on a black XR motorcycle from the northern direction, dismounted and entered the premises. One was allegedly armed with a suspected firearm while the other carried a knife.
The suspects reportedly held customers at gunpoint and robbed the 28-year-old of a cellular phone and cash, while the cashier was relieved of money from the business place.
Police said the men fled after exiting the premises but were pursued by persons in the area. During the chase, the suspects allegedly discharged rounds, damaging two motor vehicles.
A collision involving their motorcycle caused both men to fall into a nearby drain, after which they escaped on foot, abandoning the motorcycle and a haversack containing cash.
Officers recovered two spent shells at the scene and lodged the motorcycle as an exhibit. CCTV footage from the business place has been retrieved and is under review.
In a follow-up operation between 22:00 hrs and 22:19 hrs, police searched the home of a 27-year-old man of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, in connection with the robbery.
During the search, ranks found a suspected firearm wrapped in a cloth inside a clothes basket in a bedroom. The man was arrested after admitting he was not a licensed firearm holder, police said.
He remains in custody assisting with investigations, while the suspected firearm has been lodged as evidence.