OFFICERS of the Den Amstel Police Station in the Police ‘D’ Division are being accused by a family of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara, of turning them away when they visited that police station to make a report pertaining to two stolen sheep.According to information received by the Guyana Chronicle, from the Cornelia Ida New Scheme Block X family, three men while travelling in a 192 Carina Motorcar PGG 7216 on Thursday, stole two sheep belonging to the family.

The family raised an alarm and persons in the area along with other persons gave chase after the vehicle with the occupants and the animals.

Once that was done, the family went to the Den Amstel Police Station where they requested assistance, but were reportedly turned away and directed to the Leonora Police Station.

During that time, the men with the stolen animals were heading east along the West Coast Demerara to the Vreed –en- Hoop junction. The family then used their mobile phones and telephoned the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station to alert them about the development and ranks at that station immediately set up a roadblock.

As the suspects approached the roadblock, they began to take evasive action and the police gave chase forcing the men to abandon the car and flee. The police then took possession of the animals and the vehicle but were still not able to apprehend the suspects.

Subsequent to taking interim measures that saw the recovery of the stolen animals and the securing of the vehicle that was used to transport them, the police at Vreed-en-Hoop then directed the complainants to the Leonora Police Station.

According to the family, while at the Leonora Police Station, which serves as headquarters for ‘D’ Division, the complainants were not pleased with the treatment they received. According to them, while they sought to explain to the police what the issues affecting them were, one rank continued interrupting them only showing interest in the worth of the two animals.

After one hour at the station, the family was told to leave and return on Friday morning, which they did.

Up to late yesterday the animals were still tied up at a police station in the area while the owners of the animals were instructed by ranks at Leonora that they needed to fetch grass and water from Cornelia Ida to ensure that the animals were fed. It was up to late yesterday afternoon unclear to this publication if the police station where the animals were being held has a functioning pound.

When the complainants asked to speak with the officer who has the authority to authorize the release of the animals, they were told that the officer was not going to be at work until late on Friday evening, and that the animals will have to remain in the custody of the police until the persons who stole the animals came forward.

The family is adamant that they have no problem cooperating with the police, but the request by the police for them to travel more than 12 miles daily to look after the animals until the police complete their investigation is totally out of order and unnecessary.

Contacted yesterday afternoon, police sources who are close to the investigation informed this publication that the family’s claim that they are being asked to take grass and water for the animals sounds a bit far-fetched, since the police station where the animals are being kept has those facilities and the animals of that family are not the only ones being held there by the police .

Additionally, the police ranks up to late yesterday afternoon were said to be in several areas within the division trying to ascertain who the owner of the car is as they seek to complete the investigation in a timely manner and have the animals returned to the owners.