Gun-toting bandits rape, rob Sophia family

…shoot visiting relative

 

Members of a ‘B' Field Sophia household of nine were the victims of a horrible experience early yesterday morning when their home was broken into by a gang of four gun-toting bandits. The bandits raped, beat and robbed them of a large quantity of cash, jewellery and household articles.

Speaking with Kaieteur News about the incident, owner of the home Sabrina Azeez reported that the ordeal started at around 02:00 hrs. She said that they heard the dogs barking.

“Me brother-in-law who does come across to watch TV get up to see if somebody was in de yard and after checking de windows, decide fuh open de back door when one a de gunmen fire some shots at he and it hit he in he arm and chest. Right away he started fuh run to de front,” she recalled.

“Look at de steps with all this bullet holes.

They thought that he woulda run upstairs, but he open de front door and jump de fence and run away.

Then they come up de steps and started to kick down de bedroom doors,” she continued.

“When they come upstairs, dem tie me up with tape and put a gun to me head and ask me for Rasta and he wife. I tell dem that Rasta was in Port Kaituma and he wife ain't home yet,” another occupant of the home recounted.

The occupant related that one of the bandits threatened to kill him if he did not show them where the money and the jewellery were. He replied that he was only there as a result of the floods which had forced him out from his home.

The bandits then went to the other bedrooms and started to beat the occupants before proceeding to rape two of them.

“After we tell them that we ain't know whey de money deh they begin to shoot up in de roof. Then dem roll up ganja and smoke it.”

The resident said that they shouted for help but because of the manner in which the bandits were shooting neighbours were afraid to come to their assistance.

The intruders spent over two hours inside the home before making their escape.

Another resident said that every time she buys a piece of wood to improve her property, she also buys a dog. She said that because of the absence of street lights residents have to find their own means of protecting themselves and property.

When Kaieteur News visited the scene, ranks from the Police Force, including fingerprint experts, detectives and members of the Impact Patrol were gathering information to begin their investigation.

It is believed that the bandits may be from the Sophia area and have a good knowledge of the community in terms of escape routes.

Residents were unanimous in their appeal for the relevant authorities to improve the roads and provide electricity to the community since it would allow for quicker responses by law enforcement agencies.