A LONE gunman on Monday morning staged a daring robbery at Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission carting off with some $1.7M in cash and cheques from the Government agency.According to reports, the armed man walked into the Commission, pointed a gun at the cashier and ordered her not to move. The suddenness of the attack left many staffers in shock while others froze in fright. It was reported that the gunman then proceeded to the cashier’s canister, which it was said had $1.3M in cash and about $400,000 in cheques.

He nonchalantly bagged the money, walked calmly out of the complex, where he boarded a waiting vehicle and made good his escape.

After the robber left, an alarm was raised and the police were called in to investigate the robbery.

Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken confirmed the incident and indicated that several employees will be questioned in relation to the matter.

These will include those would have been recently off the job as well as those who were absent on the day of the robbery.

Mr Hicken said the police are concerned with the type of the robbery since it showed no regard by the gunman for the persons who were in the premises at the time, working or conducting business.
The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has a huge security hut and also prohibits the entrance of persons who bear arms or offensive weapon.

It is not clear if the weapon the bandit had was a real one, and if it was, how he managed to get pass security.

This publication was told by Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission staffers that the security guards at the guard hut are also not armed, and as such, are virtually helpless in a worst case scenario. However, this bit of information could not be confirmed.

The cashier booth at the facility is several meters away from the entrance to the compound.

It is not clear if the receptionist has a panic button that would have alerted the security guards at the gate at the time the bandit was making his was out of the building.