Businessman robbed of cash, jewels
By Nigel Williams
Stabroek News
December 16, 2002
Four heavily armed bandits stormed the home of businessman Gopaul known as `Rakesh' of La Penitence yesterday morning, fired several shots at residents and fled with some US$15,000 ($2.9M) and a large quantity of gold jewellery.
Three of these bandits were later thought to have died in a shootout with the police in West Ruimveldt but this has not yet been confirmed. (See other story on page 1.)
The robbery has left the young businessman rethinking his plans. According to him since his business started two years ago yesterday's robbery was his worst setback.
Recounting the incident to this newspaper, Rakesh said that he was not in his home at the time but in an adjoining apartment. He recalled that his three children ages ranging from 8-13 were the only ones in the house at the time of the raid.
According to the America Street jeweller/currency dealer, it was around 3 am yesterday when he suddenly heard gunshots emanating from his home. He said as he continued to listen the sound of the gunfire came closer and before he realised what was happening four bandits appeared in front of his house.
A fearful Gopaul said he quickly exited the apartment, ran down the stairs and jumped into his water reservoir. Once in the reservoir, Gopaul said he used a straw to breathe while completely submerged.
He related that while in the reservoir he heard the smashing of windowpanes and at that point he realised that the men were trying to break into his home. Stabroek News observed yesterday that at least three of the businessman's windowpanes were badly damaged. Gopaul said three of the four men entered his house while the fourth stayed outside.
Once in the businessman's home, the bandits began to terrorise the children forcing them to lie on their stomachs and also threatening to kill them. Gopaul said two of the bandits searched his home while the third guarded the children. He said all during this time he was still in the reservoir while two of his sisters-in-law who were also in the apartment where he had been began screaming. He said their voices resounded in the neighbourhood and realising that residents were beginning to take note of what was happening, the bandit who remained in the yard discharged a barrage of gunshots in the direction of the women. Luckily no one was injured.
Gopaul said after the bandits unleashed the gunshots the women quieted down and the other gunmen continued to ransack his home. For over 20 minutes the trio searched the man's home carrying away around 300 pieces of jewellery which included rings, chains, bands and bracelets.
They also rifled through Gopaul's wardrobe and took out the US currency. When their search ended the bandits ran down the stairs and headed into the West Ruimveldt area where the fatal shootout later occurred with police.
Shortly after the bandits departed he emerged from the reservoir and so did his sisters-in-law and his children. He said they all gathered close to each other. The police arrived on the scene about three minutes after the bandits fled and when told the direction in which the bandits ran they immediately went after them. It was shortly after this Gopaul said he heard rapid gunfire in an area not too far from him.
Yesterday the jeweller/currency dealer lamented the crime situation in the country saying that when everyone thought things were under control the mayhem was erupting again. He was particularly concerned about his children's health and safety. According to Gopaul all three of the children were traumatised. He said that they have never before experienced such tragedy and it shook them up a lot. Gopaul urged the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue him a firearm licence. He said the nature of his job demands that he has a firearm. Residents in La Penitence yesterday expressed shock at the incident. One man said that he has been living in the area for a very long time and never before had he experienced such heavy gunfire. The old man expressed sympathy to Gopaul while urging the government to do more to protect its citizens.
