TWO armed bandits on Saturday evening staged a daring robbery on  Z-One  Chinese Supermarket at Lot 16 B Albion Front, Corentyne, Berbice, a mere ‘stone’s throw’ away from the Albion Police Station.

Around 21:50hrs, two men, one armed with an assault rifle and the other with a handgun, pounced on the supermarket. They held the proprietors at gunpoint and demanded cash.

One of the owners was reportedly kicked to the face as the bandits made their demands.

According to information received, minutes into the robbery, the police were alerted and a team from the Albion Police Station was immediately dispatched to the crime scene. Upon their arrival, they faced a torrent of gun shots and were forced to scamper for cover.

Customers who were outside of the supermarket were ordered to lie down.

One eyewitness said he was outside having a cold drink when one of the men approached him, and said, “Get down before I shoot yo.”

A man, who lives close by, said he was about to retire to bed when he heard several “gun shots”.

“I hear like 20 shots fired and me peep and see two man shooting up the police vehicle from inside the Chiney supermarket and after me realise bullets coming in me direction, me just duck down until things cool off.”

Another eyewitness said the police could not return fire as the owners and customers were held at gunpoint in the supermarket.

The robbers reportedly arrived in a silver coloured Toyota 212 Carina but left on foot. Up to press time, the police were searching for the robbers.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the bandits made good their escape with some $250,000, three cellular phones and other valuables.