GUNMEN invaded Popeye’s Fast Food outlet, at Vlissengen Road and Duncan Street, Georgetown, once again on Tuesday night, robbing employees and customers of just over half a million dollars. Police reported that it happened about 22:10 hrs when two men, armed with firearms, held three female cashiers and two patrons at gunpoint.
The bandits took away a total of $550,000 and a cell phone from the cashiers and $18,000 from the others and escaped.
Investigations are in progress into this second robbery at the same place within five months.
Last February 29, persons at the same eating house were relieved of $389,000, after it was closed for business about 20:35 hrs.
On that occasion, two men, one toting a gun, barged into the premises and held cashier Jacqueline Mc Intosh at gunpoint, took the money and fled in a waiting motor car.
The restaurant supervisor, Tamesh Persaud said the robbers had waited until there were only about five customers inside, then one of the robbers jumped over the counter and advanced towards Mc Intosh with a gun, demanding that she hand over all the cash in the register.
But, apparently, she was unable to open the drawer on her first attempt and one of the assailants chucked her, in anger, causing the woman to fall to the floor.
Other persons who were present went face down immediately after seeing the duo, who cleared three cash registers.
Persaud recalled that one of the frightened staff fainted and she was rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) for treatment.
He said, while no commercial damage was done to the place nor anyone injured, the bandits left the other staff members traumatised.
Persaud confirmed that was not the first robbery at the place, either, as there was a similar occurrence last year February.