POLICE recently arrested an ex-policeman and two others after they allegedly robbed a 19-year-old cyclist along the De Kinderen Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

In custody are a 25-year-old ex-cop of Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD); a 23-year-old AC technician of Kaneville, EBD; and a 25-year-old construction worker of Providence New Housing Scheme, EBD.

Police said the victim, Darmendra Yussuff of De Willem, WCD had left his work place at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo with his bicycle and he was proceeding east along the De Kinderen Public Road when he was approached by the three suspects who were in a motorcar.

The car, a white Toyota Premio, drove alongside him and one of the suspects, who was clad in police uniform, ordered him to stop his bicycle.

Thinking that the man was indeed an officer, the cyclist stopped his bicycle. He was then asked several questions by the suspect, including why he was not wearing a face mask.

The suspects then asked the teenager what he had in his pocket, to which he replied money.

The perpetrators then asked him to put the money on his bicycle seat and believing that the man was indeed a law enforcement officer, the cyclist complied.

Realising something was amiss when one of the robbers decided to collect the money and another relieved him of his cellphone, the young man fled the scene.

At this point, the suspects drove away in the car. The victim, who managed to record the vehicle registration number, contacted the police, who responded quickly, located the suspects’ motorcar and subsequently gave chase.

The suspects drove the car into the Uitvlugt Estate Road in a bid to escape. The driver then abandoned the vehicle, leaving his other colleagues to be apprehended by the police.

A continued search effort by the officers resulted in the arrest of the driver. The car was then searched and a cutlass and an improvised icepick were recovered and lodged.

The car and suspects were escorted to the Leonora Police Station where they were positively identified by the victim.
Investigations are ongoing.