…had hours before freed of a burglary charge

A bandit was captured by residents of Sophia early Thursday morning and handed a sound thrashing after he and another broke into the home of an elderly woman.

Police say that a 53-year old resident of 467 ‘C’ Field, Sophia, who whilst enjoying an early morning sleep was interrupted from so doing by a “strange breaking sound” coming from the dining area of her one home. Seconds after the victim was confronted by two males who physically attacked her and demanded cash and jewellery but the brave housewife put up a fierce resistance with the intruders who were both armed with knives and shouted out for help.

Residents promptly responded and managed to capture one of the bandits in the house, police said. According to the police it was about 03:00h when residents gave him a sound trashing before he was handed over to the police who took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he is admitted in a stable condition under guard.

The suspect has been identified as Ronaldo Parris, 23 years, unemployed of the said village. Police said the youth has several house breaking charges pending before the court and only on Wednesday a burglar charge was dismissed for want of prosecution after the victim refused to offer evidence. The East Coast Magistrate in dismissing the matter advised the accused to be of good behaviour since he has other pending matters but mere hours later, he was caught in the victim’s house wearing the same clothes he was seen wearing when he left the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court. Police said too that his accomplice known as ‘Daniels’ is being sought.

The victim Hyacinth La Cruz, who received a laceration to her right hand and abrasions about her body, had to receive medical attention. “The Guyana Police Force applauds the residents for their bravery in confronting and apprehending one of the suspects and for supporting law enforcement.”