In a dramatic turn of events, a 15-year-old schoolgirl was rescued by police following a violent armed robbery at the Tide Restaurant and Bar in La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara. The incident, which occurred on Monday night around 11:00 PM, has left the community shaken and authorities on high alert.
Five masked men, all armed with cutlasses, stormed the establishment, terrorizing patrons and staff. The proprietor, 59-year-old Richard Ghanshan, was attacked in the backyard while tending to his dogs. He suffered head injuries after being struck multiple times with a cutlass before being forced upstairs where other victims were confronted.
Among those robbed were 61-year-old businesswoman Sahodra Ghanshan, who lost her Samsung Galaxy phone and gold jewelry, and 18-year-old cashier Raphal Sarwan, who was relieved of a laptop, three cellphones, and $300,000 in cash. Sarwan also endured physical assault during the ordeal.
The situation took a more sinister turn when the perpetrators abducted the teenage girl as they fled the scene. They forced her into a white Fielder wagon with license plate PAH 7157, speeding away in an eastern direction.
However, the criminals’ escape was short-lived. While traveling through Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, the driver lost control of the vehicle, crashing into a trench on the eastern side of the road. Alert police officers responded swiftly to the accident scene, leading to the arrest of two suspects and the rescue of the abducted girl.
The apprehended individuals were identified as 21-year-old Perciven Aaron, also known as ‘Barban’, from Thomas Street, Georgetown, and 19-year-old Isaiah Bowen, nicknamed ‘Pranks’, from Church Street, Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara.
A search of the crashed vehicle yielded several of the stolen items, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation. Crime scene experts have also retrieved CCTV footage from cameras at the bar, which may offer additional leads.
Both Richard Ghanshan and Raphal Sarwan received medical treatment at the Leonora Cottage Hospital and were subsequently discharged.
As the community grapples with this brazen act of violence, police are intensifying their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The two arrested individuals remain in custody as investigations continue, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of this alarming crime.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating violent crime and highlights the importance of community vigilance and cooperation with police efforts.
