Two of six bandits killed in Berbice raid

Dead: Indarjit ‘Danny’ Sham

Georgetown: Two suspected bandits were killed by police in a shootout in the Berbice River Friday morning, hours after they reportedly raided a ranch house as part of a six-man gang and stole livestock and other property.

Dead are Indarjit ‘Danny’ Sham, 37,of Betsy Ground Village, East Canje and Amar ‘Punk’ Bissoon, 21,of Adelphi Settlement ,East Canje.

According to information gathered, at approximately 05:00hrs Friday, six male suspects, two of whom were armed with guns, went to a ranch house at Potocco Creek, Berbice River, and held three male labourers at gunpoint. During the invasion they stole 23 sheep, 15 ducks, a solar panel, a radio, a quantity of rope, and other valuables, property of a 50 year-old businessman of Vryheid, West Canje, Berbice. They loaded the items on a boat and subsequently escaped.

Shortly after the robbery occurred, police in B’ Division were informed and a team led by a Senior Detective, acting on intelligence, intercepted a boat on the Berbice River with the two suspects who are in custody, and based on further information, the ranks proceeded to another location where they discovered all of the animals with their legs bound and the other stolen property, loaded inside of a camouflaged

Dead: Amar Bissoon

aluminum boat.

It was after the ranks disembarked their boat that they were confronted by two other men who discharged several rounds at them. The officers quickly assumed tactical positions and returned fire, fatally wounding the men who have been positively identified by the victims as members of the gang who committed the robbery.

A twelve gauge pump action shotgun, a .32 pistol, eleven live cartridges, and five live.32 rounds were found in possession of the bandits. Also three spent cartridges and a .32 spent shell were retrieved at the scene.

The bodies identified are presently at the Arokium Funeral Home awaiting post mortem examinations. A manhunt is underway for the other two suspects as investigations continue.