THIRTY-three-year-old Tabitha Benjamin, a vendor at the New Amsterdam Market, reportedly lost $231,906 worth in undergarments, footwear and beverages after her stall was broken into sometime after she closed it on Wednesday.
The distraught woman told Guyana Chronicle that this is the second time she has experienced losses since moving to the location two years ago. Previously, she had occupied a stall in Pitt Street, the main shopping area in the township, but had to remove after the place was sold.

According to her, it was just before 08:00hrs that she showed up at her business place to ply her trade. “I opened the counter door and then moved to open the eastern door. It was after opening that door that I noticed that a board was removed from the northern wall,” the woman related.

She said the northern wall is adjacent to the Municipal Council’s fence, but, beyond that, there is a sea of overgrown bushes. It is believed that the thief gained entry from the back of the stall and removed a piece of wood from the wall, before pushing his/ her hand into the shop and removing the articles which were in a bag. Thereafter, the individual/s jumped the fence, leaving behind mannequins and empty beverage bottles. Benjamin noted that while she was supported by the Municipal Constabulary ranks, who assisted her by searching for the perpetrators, the same cannot be said about the ranks at Central Police Station.

“I went to Central Police Station. I got a tip of where some of the items were. The police say there is no vehicle. The other day they got several vehicles and now they are saying there is none,” she lamented. Further, this newspaper was told that there are insufficient ranks manning the New Amsterdam Market. Moreso, with the opening of the Esplanade Park, ranks are now sent at that location, leaving fewer ranks at a location where much revenue are garnered. Investigations are continuing.