A Banks DIH Premium Ice-cream truck was yesterday afternoon robbed of more than $300,000 by two gun-toting men who held the driver and salesman at gun-point, in the South Ruimveldt area, then forced them to drive to a lonely area where the robbery was carried out. The sales-man on the truck was later taken to the East La Penitence Police Station where he was late yesterday assisting the police with their investigations.
The incident happened around 15:30 hrs, the driver of the vehicle told the police.  He said they were, at the time, returning to Banks DIH Thirst Park, after carrying out sales at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
According to the driver who appeared to be in his late twenties, he had just stopped the vehicle at the Plaza Bridge traffic light in South Ruimveldt when two men wearing black topes, suddenly appeared and ‘Burst de door’ before the lights could change to green.   They hurriedly jumped into the vehicle.
The driver, still badly traumatized as he spoke, said one of the men pointed a gun to his head and ordered him, “Don’t say anything. Go down you!” Shocked out of his wits and not immediately knowing how to respond, the driver fumbled, at which the gunman repeated the order, adding expletives… “Go down yuh mother … Ah seh go down!”  mother (expletives); Go down!” Terrified, the two employees on the truck were forced to comply.
Then still holding guns to  the employees’ heads, ordered them to drive towards a lonely area in Cane View Avenue opposite the cane fields.
Then pointing to the compartment in which the cash cannister was secluded, the gunmen  asked them, “Whey de key deh?” but the employees refused to hand the keys over to them.  Wasting no time, the intruders ripped the canister out of its place and hurriedly  jumped out of the vehicle, taking the cannister containing the cash with them.
The beleaguered truck driver said the bandits, on exiting the truck, ran east up Cane View Avenue and turned north into Green Heart Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens and escaped.
The employees apparently phoned the Banks DIH Headquarters and reported the robbery.  Shortly after, senior officials of the company as well as police ranks appeared on the scene and took statements.  This newspaper learnt that police soon afterwards apprehended one of the men, but our source was unable to say whether the canister or any of the cash was recovered.
Police are continuing their investigations.