Following additional investigations conducted on Sunday evening, police interviewed victims involved in the alleged armed robbery and abduction that took place around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Bushmouth Marudi Backdam in South Rupununi, Region Nine.
Among those affected was 39-year-old Romain Simon, a Natural Resources Officer who was reportedly robbed of a Glock 17 pistol along with a magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition, as well as a Mavado watch valued at GY$140,000. Another Natural Resources Officer, 34-year-old Victor Adams, was also robbed of a Glock 17 pistol, a magazine, and 15 rounds of ammunition. In addition, 30-year-old Karl Antone, a Community Mines Ranger, reported that he was robbed of GY$100,000 in cash.
Further investigation revealed new details from another victim, Dionei Faribas De Brito, who clarified his initial report to police. De Brito stated that his earlier statements were misinterpreted. He explained that when the suspects approached him at the GGMC checkpoint, they first robbed him of GY$892,000 in cash. The suspects then demanded gold, but since he did not have any, they ordered him to transfer one million reais (approximately GY$7.9 million) to a Pix account in Brazil, part of Brazil’s instant payment system.
Fearing for his life, De Brito complied by transferring 30,000 reais (about GY$1.2 million) to the specified account before he and the other victims were released. The funds De Brito transferred have since been recovered and handed over to Brazilian law enforcement.
During their investigation, police located two of the three vehicles reportedly used in the commission of the crime; both were found at the Bushmouth junction and bore Brazilian registration plates. The Guyana Police Force is now working closely with the Brazilian Federal Police as inquiries into the incident continue.
