A Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) family was on Saturday evening attacked and terrorised by five masked gunmen after which they carted off with cash and jewellery.
56-year-old Lalawattie Basraj, a fruit vendor of Belmont, Mahaica, ECD, her husband Anand Basraj and their 15-year-old daughter Khenwattie Basraj along with a relative Nimawattie Deodat are still traumatized as a result of the ordeal.
Based on reports received, the five armed men invaded the premises at about 19:50h while the occupants of the two-storey wooden and concrete house were in the lower felt of the building.
The suspects reportedly gained entry onto the premises by scaling a fence. They then broke into the lower flat of the house and held the victims at gunpoint. The hands and feet of the victims were subsequently bounded.
At this time, the perpetrators began to demand cash and jewellery but the farmer attempted to put up a fight and instead he was dealt several blows to his head.
Upon seeing this, his wife reportedly handed over about $400,000 in cash, along with cell phone, jewellery and a laptop to the armed men. After the three-hour ordeal, the suspects made good their escape in an unknown direction.
After realizing that the men had left, the occupants managed to untie themselves and raised an alarm as well as contacted the police. The injured farmer was taken to the hospital where he was treated for the injuries he sustained to his head.
The police have launched an investigation into the incident.
