– as security guard, money, TVs, documents go missing

HUNDREDS of thousands of dollars, two television sets and several pieces of documents were reportedly discovered stolen from the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).
The discovery follows a series of break-ins at the Union suspected to be attempts at undermining its leadership.

On Monday morning police investigators were seen processing the crime scene at the Union’s Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive headquarters.
In making the disclosure on Monday, GPSU President Patrick Yarde said that over the past two weeks, the Union has had approximately four break-ins, the last of which was on Sunday night.

He said the first incident took place on Monday July 16, 2018. “The initial staff of the accounts department discovered that we had a robbery. The police were called in. A significant amount of cash was stolen,” Yarde detailed.

According to him, the money was withdrawn from a commercial bank on Friday, July 13 to offset expenses relative to an Executive Council meeting which was set for the following Monday. Yarde declined to disclose the amount of money that was stolen.
“I think we said enough when we said a large sum of money was taken,” he said. “The police report has the amount, and I would not be going into much detail unless I am advised of that by our attorneys and the police.

“We would not be doing anything to jeopardise the police investigation, but we are saying it is a significant amount,” he told reporters.

STRUCK AGAIN

Approximately two weeks after, thieves reportedly struck again at the GPSU headquarters on Sunday. A security guard, whose shift came to an end at around 19:00h on Sunday, reportedly told GPSU officials that when he left the premises and handed over the shift to another guard, everything was intact.

But when GPSU staff turned up for duty on Monday, a television which was situated in the lower flat of the two-storey building was found to be missing, as was the security guard who reportedly commenced duty at 19:00h on Sunday.

“This morning we discovered that there have been a series of breaking and entry in the building. A television from my office is missing, as well as documents. There was an attempt to get in the safe in the Union,” Yarde told reporters.

In the Accounts Supervisor’s office, several attempts were seemingly made to get into different filing cabinets and drawers.

“So far we have discovered two Sony flat- screen televisions missing,” Yarde said, adding:
“I mention to you the money, the cabinet that was penetrated, the drawer that was damaged, and the safe that we can’t get opened up to now… And documents that are missing.” It is yet unclear how the thieves gained entry into the building, as the windows of the lower flat are heavily grilled.

After Sunday’s apparent break-in, the police were again called in, and a search has been launched for the security guard who was on duty the night the television set and documents went missing.

AN INSIDE JOB
From all indications, Yarde said, the thief or thieves had inside knowledge of the layout of GPSU headquarters, and appeared to have been looking for particular items. “Undoubtedly it is targeted in our opinion,” he said, adding:
“To get to my office, you have to go through three doors, and it is amazing how precise the things people are going for.”

Asked whether the union had taken a decision to beef up security following the first robbery, Yarde responded in the negative.

“There wasn’t a beef up in security because the first incident seemed to us as a robbery after money; the other incidents all occurred over this weekend,” he said.
The building is manned by a lone security guard at any given time. Security guards there are hired directly by the Union following what Yarde described as “a clear procedure” inclusive of securing police clearance.