FIFTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD Chinese national Caa Aza Huo who operates the Hing Fa Restaurant at Garnett and Republic Streets in Newtown, Georgetown was on Thursday assaulted during a robbery at his place of business.Police say that at approximately 23:30hrs on Thursday, three men posing as customers entered the restaurant and made an order. While waiting on their food to be served, two of the three robbers instructed the proprietor to open the counter door, whereupon they held him at gunpoint.

Caa Aza Huo complied with the armed bandits’ order, but was beaten in the face with a gun while the bandits entered the heart of his business and carted off an undisclosed amount of cash, one laptop computer and two Samsung Galaxy cellphones.

After the robbery, the restaurant owner reportedly tried to summon the police via 911, but calls for assistance went unanswered by the police.

Neighbours recalled hearing loud screams for help when the Chinese national was being beaten by the bandits. They reported that they wanted to assist him, but were afraid to venture out of their homes because a gunshot had been discharged by the robbers, who fled the scene unchallenged.

Having received injuries to his mouth, the restaurant owner was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was treated and sent away.

Police say the bandits were not masked, and the building was not outfitted with surveillance cameras. By the time the police arrived the men had already escaped.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the restaurant on Friday, the business remained closed until further notice.