A SECURITY guard, whose name was given as Oswin Clarke, and an inventory clerk, Darian Brian, both employees of the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Inc. were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital just before 16.00hrs yesterday following an armed robbery at the GNIC Shipyard on Lombard Street.Clarke was shot to one of his feet,while Brian was bludgeoned to the head by a man who relieved them of a .32 revolver and seven matching rounds and the wages payroll respectively, before fleeing the compound.

This newspaper was informed that two men showed up at the facility, one dressed like an employee of the company while the other waited on a motorcycle outside on the road. The gunman was reportedly wearing sunglasses large enough to conceal his facial features along with a motorcycle helmet.
Speaking with this newspaper was Ronald Bourne, the manager of the GNIC Shipyard operations. He explained that he was in the shipyard when he heard a popping sound but took if for a punctured tyre of a vehicle which was at the time entering the compound with fuel for the company.
From all indications, the gunmen were awaiting the arrival of the cash from the administrative building just next door. The cash is usually taken to the other compound for the payment of staff and one of the men used the opportunity to walk alongside the truck with the fuel to gain access into the compound.
Bourne explained that after hearing the noise he looked around and saw his staff scampering for cover and the security guard lying on the ground. He further explained that another security guard, this one a female, was attempting to close the gate to trap the bandit inside the compound when he pointed the gun in her direction causing her to abort that move.
The man jumped on the waiting motorcycle and they sped off with the canister containing the cash. Bourne said that he was not immediately in a position to state how much cash was taken, but estimated that it might be just about half a million dollars.
Bourn also indicated to the Guyana Chronicle that the company has already reviewed its security in the interim and explained those measures.
The security manager of the company confirmed that a weapon was taken from the security guard. He said that the guard has been working with the company for almost 15 years now.
Meanwhile, over at the hospital,both employees were recommended for X-rays by the doctors at the GPH.
The security guard lay on a stretcher trembling as he was being comforted by a relative and other staff members who accompanied them to the hospital.
The inventory clerk, Darian Brian, said that while walking with the money canister being escorted by the armed guard,he felt a hard blow behind his head and when he turned around he noticed that someone was pointing a gun at him and told him to hand over the fu&*%$* money. The man said that he immediately dropped the money and ran to the rear of the compound.
He described the weapon that the bandit had as silver . The young man who appeared to be in a lot of pain said that he was not aware of what happened after and that he did not recognise the gunman. The police were informed and responded to the scene.

(By Leroy Smith)