Bandits snatch $14M in foreign currency from America Street money changer

Bandits on motorcycles yesterday snatched $14M in foreign currency from a popular America Street money changer.

A police source said that Lilman Sookdeo of Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara had stopped at a poultry depot in La Penitence when one of the men placed a gun to his head and relieved him of a bag containing €33,000, £11,000 and US$5000 at around 12:30hrs.

According to reports, Persaud had just left a city bank with the cash and it appeared as if he was followed.

A source said that Persaud, who was in a taxi, stopped at the poultry depot but did not come out of the car.

While waiting in the vehicle as the driver went in to the store, two men rode up and held Persaud at gunpoint.

The money changer told Kaieteur News that one of the men opened the door on the driver's side, entered the car and pointed a gun at him.

“He said if I don't give him the bag he was going to shoot me. It happened in split seconds. It's better I give him (the money) than he kill me,” Persaud told Kaieteur News.

This is the second time that the businessman has lost substantial amounts of cash to thieves.

Three years ago thieves broke into his car trunk and stole G$2M.

Yesterday's robbery was reported to the police who are carrying out investigations.

Friday 07-28-2006