ROBBERY convict Eon Godfrey Lynch was among two wanted men cornered and arrested by police in the Eccles Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, as they attempted to escape lawmen who discovered them hiding out in an abandoned house in Republic Park, EBD, on Tuesday afternoon.

The other man arrested is a 22-year-old resident of Georgetown’s Costello Housing Scheme, who is a prime suspect in two recent robberies committed on gas stations in Georgetown and Eccles.

Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, in a statement from the Guyana Police Force, said the 19-year-old Lynch has given his places of abode as Agricola, East Bank Demerara and Lot 16 Second Bridge, Cow Dam, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Magistrate Judy Lutchman has sentenced him in absentia to a five-year term of imprisonment after finding him guilty of robbing Yvonne Moe of $13M at gunpoint on April 25, 2016 at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara.

On the day in question, Lynch, while in the company of another, allegedly held Moe at gunpoint and robbed her of the cash, jewellery and a pistol, all property of Harry Narine.

Lynch has had several other brushes with the law, the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, has said.

It is also alleged that on February 18, at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, while being in the company of another, and armed with a gun, Lynch robbed Dexter Richards of one Jialing motorcycle valued at $175,000, property of Shondell Mars. Lynch was also accused of robbing Richards, on the same day, of one gold ring worth $50,000 while brandishing a gun.

According to police facts, Richards was riding his motorcycle in Agricola when it encountered some mechanical problems. As he stopped to check, Lynch, with an accomplice who was armed with a cutlass, confronted him at gunpoint. They relieved him of the bike and gold ring, as stated in the charge, before escaping. The teen was later caught and positively identified by Richards during an identification (ID) parade.

Lynch was also charged with escaping from the lawful custody of Police Constable Boyce on March 1, while he was arrested for allegations of sexual assault.

He also was before the Providence Magistrate to face another robbery charge.

In yesterday’s dramatic afternoon confrontation, one of the men was caught in a residential compound while the occupants of the home were not at home. The other was cornered and arrested a block away, after they had both sprinted away in their failed attempt at escape.

At about 15:00 hours yesterday, police promptly responded to a call received from a public-spirited citizen, informing them that the men were seen acting suspiciously in the unoccupied house. The due, on seeing the police, reportedly fled, but were captured in Eccles.

“The Guyana Police Force wishes to acknowledge the excellent support it is receiving from members of the public in its crime-fighting strategies,” the police have said.