THE proliferation of criminals preying on citizens all across the country can be attributed to an entitlement and dependency syndrome, whereby the predators and their families and spouses are convinced that those who are better off than they are owe them a lifestyle in like manner that their victims enjoy.

This conviction has driven criminal actions that left tragic consequences to families, many of whom never recover from the unspeakable horrors they endured because perpetrators with no intention to work to achieve decided to wrest, by force, the hard-earned money and possessions of their victims.

Related also to criminal activities is the drug trade, through which persons who become addicted to the illicit substances crave their fixes so badly that they end up stealing – anything from anyone, to support their habit.

Recently it was reported in this newspaper that three men were arrested after they attempted to abduct a Diamond, East Bank Demerara woman following a drug deal that went sour.

Based on information received, the three men went to the home of the woman accusing her of squealing on them in relation to a shipment of drugs that was destined for the United Kingdom.
The drugs were reportedly seized by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) in Diamond a few months back.

At the home of the woman, the men reportedly discharged a round forcing her to enter a car after which they drove from the scene. The Police were contacted and the car was intercepted at North Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

During the successful operation, the Police recovered a 9mm pistol and one matching round. The three men and the woman are in Police custody assisting with the investigation.

The three kidnappers were lucky that none of them was killed or seriously injured when they engaged the police in a gun battle: And their kidnapped victim was saved maybe from a torturous death.

Another report, even though unconfirmed, stated that the brother of notorious criminal Shawn Browne, who was on Police radar for quite a while, was apprehended by Police in Sophia, Greater Georgetown following a high-speed chase. He, along with an accomplice, was arrested moments after he committed a robbery on Sheriff Street.

After the robbery, Police reportedly responded promptly and gave chase behind the two men who were in a Toyota Raum motor car registered to a Veronica Nobel of Republic Park, East Bank Demerara.

During the high-speed chase, the driver of the car lost control and crashed into a nearby trench.
There are many persons who never worked a day in their lives who today own luxury vehicles and palatial, well-furnished homes in highly residential areas; and one wonders why, if these persons are proven to be criminals, these possessions are not seized, especially in the case where the vehicles are registered to third parties, whose reward may be a percentage of the spoils of the criminal forays. In any case, investigations should be conducted into the source of the money used to purchase the vehicle and/or properties.

Criminals like Shawn Browne lived by the gun because he coveted what others had earned the hard way, but he never lived to enjoy the fruits of his crimes. Rather he died by the gun. Others of his ilk are heading for the same fate.