Armed bandits changed tactics on Tuesday, attacking on the East Bank Demerara, where they robbed and stabbed a 46-year-old grocer and terrorised his family.

Ice pick

The unmasked robbers staged the daring robbery on the Surujpaul family of Lot 7 Little Diamond Public Road around 10 pm on Tuesday while residents were passing along the street. And they used a 4x4 pick-up as their getaway vehicle and to transport six bags of booty.

Arjune Surujpaul recounted to this newspaper that he was coming from his backyard after picking up some drink bottles when he saw five men jump over his front fence.

One of the bandits accosted him, placing a gun to his temple and demanding that he remain silent. "Don't holler, don't say anything stay quiet," the bandit told Surujpaul. According to the grocer, at this point he made an attempt to free himself but was subdued with two stabs to his chest by another bandit.

Surujpaul said when he looked around he saw two other men with ice picks, while the others carried rifles.

Still holding Surujpaul, the bandits accosted the man's 12-year-old son, Navindra who had emerged from the shop to see where his father was. The two were frog-marched into the shop where Mohani, Surujpaul's wife was seized also. They were placed to lie face down on the floor while the bandits ransacked the store.

"Bring up all the money and jewellery," one of the bandits commanded, as the frightened family lay flat on the ground.

"Look, y'all tek everything but don't harm we," Mohani replied pleading for her life and those of her husband and child.

Surujpaul said at this point the men began to haul goods off the shelves and filled about six travelling bags which he also had on sale.

They collected some $300,000 in cash and another $200,000 in jewellery, wished the family good night and left.

Surujpaul said even though he had been stabbed, he and a friend made a report to the police. At this time, the bandits were still in the area. He said a 4x4 pick-up was in the area and it collected the bandits a few minutes after the police arrived. Surujpaul complained that the police had enough time to chase after the men, but probably because they were only three of them they did not pursue them.

"I showed the police where the bandits were, but the three that came refused to go after them." The lawmen, he said, took statements instead and assisted in escorting him to the hospital for medical attention.

When Stabroek News visited Little Diamond yesterday, Surujpaul was on high alert while his business remained closed.

Residents expressed outrage at the attack, observing that the shop was the main store in the area and many persons depended on it for their daily supplies.

They were also furious that the police did not make a determined effort to catch the bandits, pointing out that it is likely they will return at some point to rob other persons.

The terrified victims said they have never been through such an ordeal before.

The bandits were said to be young men in their late teens and operated savagely.

Several shelves in the man's shop were empty when this newspaper visited. Some of the goods were scattered all over the floor.

Over recent days, there has been an upsurge in criminal violence in the country most of which has taken place on the East Coast Demerara. Six persons have been killed and several others injured in a series of deadly attacks.