ROBBERY victim Jerry Babulall was so traumatised by the ordeal of being ambushed, shot and robbed by armed bandits on the Access Road at Adventure, Corentyne that he wept bitterly after being discharged from the New Amsterdam Hospital last Wednesday.

He had to be coerced by his mother Roshanie to enter his car, which was riddled with bullets, constituting a stark reminder of the Tuesday afternoon incident in which masked bearded bandits terrorised his mother, his wife and himself for less than ten minutes before escaping with two handbags, three cell phones, a wedding band, and other jewellery and cash.

Jerry’s wife, Gaitree, was seated at the rear seat with their two children, aged nine and three years respectively, whilst his mother, Roshanie had occupied the front passenger seat and Jerry was driving the vehicle as they were returning to their home at Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne when their vehicle, PKK 2200, was ambushed by bandits.

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle moments after being discharged from the New Amsterdam Hospital, Jerry said the family had left home at around 09:00 hrs to do shopping for school items whilst undertaking other chores.

“We went to the Republic Bank at Rose Hall then we did some shopping. We had lunch at a restaurant at Nigg Village, then we went to the market then (to) a spare parts shop at Whim, before making a stop at Adventure Village (prior to) journeying home,” Jerry Babulall recalled.

“We had just turned off the Corentyne Highway at Adventure and were journeying into Black Bush main access road when a silver grey wagon motor car drove past (us) at top speed. I gave them the way as I thought they were in a hurry. But after passing, at about 100 feet away, the car swung around, blocking our pathway.

“Initially, I thought the driver was just turning around, but before I knew it, two men exited the vehicle. One armed with a seemingly improvised shotgun fired a shot which shattered the right side window. I noticed blood flowing from my right hand, it was then I realised that the bullet had hit my right hand, resulting in a fracture.

“The gunman, also armed with a long blade knife, placed same to my neck and, whilst using derogatory remarks, pulled off my gold band and demanded the two gold rings. But the wedding band was taking too long to come off, and he threatened to kill me if I did not give him the rings.

“He also took away my wallet, which had US$170 and G$35,000, and my cellular phone.”

In the meanwhile, Jerry’s mother Roshanie said she felt giddy, nervous, and in shock after receiving injuries on her right hand caused by the splints from the shattered glass.

Recalling the ordeal, she said: “When I saw the (bandits’) car approaching, I felt a bit uneasy. I instantly knew we were under attack. The other gunman approached my side and took my bag containing $83,000. The bag was on my lap. He also removed my daughter-in-law’s bag from the back seat. She had money and her phone. My phone was also stolen.

“He took the car documents, my husband’s driver’s licence and identification cards, and afterwards demanded the car keys from my son before rejoining their car, which by then had returned.

“During the robbery we did not scream; we were too shocked to do so. The children were cuddled by their mother. They, too, remained silent. We were (silent) for ten to fifteen minutes after the incident.”

Afterwards, they managed to stop a passing car and inform the occupants what had happened. Subsequently, telephone access became available, and Roshanie used the opportunity to inform her husband about what had transpired, and urged him to telephone the police and walk with the vehicle’s spare key.

Thereafter, her son Jerry was taken to the Mibicuri Hospital, where he was seen by a medical practitioner who transferred him to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he was an overnight patient.

After being discharged, the young father of two was overwhelmed to see the car in which he almost lost his life.

He reluctantly re-entered the vehicle, having had to be coerced into so doing.

No one has as yet been arrested, but police investigations are continuing.