FOUR men are in custody in the wake of a robbery on Chinese restaurateur, Tai Hong Fen, at Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice.The men’s arrest followed a tip-off by residents.

On Tuesday, just before midday, residents along the East Bank communities observed a yellow ‘212’ motorcar, HC 1288 with a Cyril’s Taxi logo being driven within their community. They observed, too, that it was the very car which had driven off with the bandits who had robbed the Chinese restaurateur on Sunday night. They further observed that the number plate had been changed from HC 214.
As a result, contact was made with the police who, thereafter, intercepted the occupants, as they were about to exit Edinburg Village. The village is located along the lone access road to the East Bank Berbice areas.

The men, including the driver, who incidentally is a convicted felon, were ordered out of the vehicle, after which the trunk was opened revealing a 32” Apex Flat Screen Television, two laptop computers, a skate board, a video adapter, a portable camera, a water pump and a Rolex wrist watch.
Meanwhile, Joel Grant of Edinburg, along with Carl Mangal of Charlestown Georgetown; Kurt Grant of East Ruimveldt and Gregory Simmons of Albouystown, when questioned by the police could not give a proper account for the items. They were subsequently arrested and remain in police custody. The car has been impounded at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam.
The Chinese restaurateur was on Sunday night beaten and robbed by armed bandits as he was about to close his business at Lot 23 Edinburg Village, East Bank Berbice, shortly after 22:00hrs.
The 49-year -old Tai Hong Fen, recalling the incident in a deep Cantonese accent, said it was about 22:00hrs when he decided to close the family- run Four Sea Restaurant, which, had a few customers who were drinking beverages.
“The customers left, and I was about to close the door, when one of the bandits went into the business and asked to purchase a 100 dollars worth of cigarettes. He presented a 1000 dollar bill. Seconds later two other identifiable males with cutlasses forced their way into the shop.”
Visibly shaken, Fen said, “I tried to run to the kitchen, and in doing so I failed to close the inner door dividing the restaurant and the kitchen. One viced me, while another, both sporting dreadlocks, cuffed me in my eye and beat me and they asked ‘whey the money deh.’
“They break the drawers and took out cash, an Alcatel cellular phone valued $40,000, and $56,000 in phone cards.
“Not satisfied with what they got, they took me upstairs where my 14- year- old daughter Daulisa was asleep. One of the bandits began choking her asking for more money. After they started to beat her, I opened the Chester Drawer and give them the money totalling $365,000. One of the bandits fired a chop to my left hand and right eye, before escaping in a yellow car HC 214.”
The injured father and daughter were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where they were treated and sent away.
Investigations are continuing.