By Royan Abrams
Police in Region Five are actively searching for five armed men involved in a robbery in Blairmont.
The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, targeted a businesswoman, her husband, and a customer, resulting in the theft of gold jewelry, cash, and other valuables.
The victims have been identified as 49-year-old Raywattie Persaud, also known as ‘Babita,’ her husband Nadir Hussain, and 28-year-old Mohammed Laikraj.
The robbery took place at the “Babita General Store,” which the couple operates on the ground floor of their two-storey house at Lot 39, No. 4 Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice.
Hussain was about to lock the gate when he was approached by five men, all wearing dark hoodies and armed with handguns.
The men quickly subdued him and forced him inside the store, demanding cash and jewelry.
Persaud, who was in the yard at the time, was also dragged inside by one of the assailants.
During the ordeal, Hussain was choked and held at gunpoint while the robbers ransacked the store, taking valuables and cash totaling approximately $3.2 million.
Persaud was threatened and physically restrained by the robbers, who also knocked her husband on the head, causing him to bleed.
The robbers continued to search the store and other parts of the house.
Laikraj, the third victim, was sitting in the shop when the masked men entered.
When he tried to flee, one of the men grabbed him, took his cellphone and gold chain, and ordered him to stay put. The suspects then escaped on foot.
The stolen items included cellphones, valuables, and a significant amount of cash.
Hussain and Persaud were taken to Fort Wellington Hospital, where they received medical treatment.
The police have canvassed the area for CCTV footage but have found none.
The search for the suspects continues with assistance from the Region No. 6 Marine Patrol.