Bandits hit Muneshwer's Travel Service

•  cart off cash, steal guard's firearm

 

Muneshwers_gutted_b_fire  $30M-heist-Muneshwer-2 Mark_Gill_burial

Staff and customers at Muneshwer's Travel Service were left traumatized after three gunmen invaded the Water Street premises and held them at gunpoint at around 11:00hrs yesterday.

They eventually carted off about $75,000 as well as a .38 revolver after beating a security guard.

A customer told Kaieteur News that he was sitting in the main office with several other customers when three men entered.

He said that the men, who were casually dressed, appeared to be customers, since he overheard them enquiring about purchasing airline tickets.

But then one of the men took a small handgun from a kerchief, discharged a round, and ordered the staff and customers to remain still.

Accompanied by his two accomplices, the gunman then herded everyone into a washroom area at the rear of the building.

The customer said that the men relieved everyone of their mobile phones, but did not take any money or jewellery.

However, another customer claimed that he and some others were robbed.

Manager Robin Muneshwer, who was in another section of the building at the time, said the men struck an armed guard in the head and relieved the man of his .38 revolver.

They then proceeded to an office where receipts are kept.

They discharged two more rounds and collected between $50,000 and $75,000 from the office.

Eyewitnesses said that the gunmen then fled on foot north along Water Street .

Mr. Muneshwer said he believes that the gunmen or their accomplices had the business under surveillance for some time.

According to the manager, two men had entered the premises about two days ago. Employees had approached the men after observing that they were behaving suspiciously and could not give a valid reason for being there.

He said that the men left hurriedly after they were confronted.

Mr. Muneshwer was critical of some of the police ranks who arrived to investigate yesterday's robbery.

He alleged that the first rank who arrived on the scene refused to carry the injured guard to the hospital, although he was bleeding from his injuries.

He added that ranks from another patrol were verbally abusive and even accused staffers of fabricating the report.

On June 24 last, a gang of robbers carted off about $30 million after torching open a safe at the Water Street Complex.

The bandits also held up the company's four security guards during the attack.

Sunday 07-23-2006