POLICE are hunting for a male who robbed a money changer and a businessman at gunpoint and carted off over $500,000 in cash and other valuables, on Friday morning.

The incident occurred at around 08:00 hrs. Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Daneshwar Panalall, 48, a money changer at the Skeldon Market, East Berbice, Corentyne, said he was sitting in front of the market with a businessman when he noticed a male wearing a mask, a blue hat and a bag strung over his shoulder walking coming towards their direction.

He noted that he did not pay much attention nor suspect anything since everyone was required to wear a mask, but as the man got closer to them, he pulled out a handgun, cranked it, pointed at him and relieved him of everything he had in his possession.

“We did sitting here talking when we see the person with a blue hat and mask coming but we did not  think anything cause it look like he just coming out. Next thing he pull out a gun and clack! clack! he crank it and tek way the money I had in me hand and start run through me pockets them and put everything in the bag,” Panalall related.

He said he had in his possession $500,000 that he uses for his cambio business which the robber took while relieving his businessman friend of his cell phone and some cash.

The businessman, Vibert Dan, a boutique owner, said he had been doing business at the market for over 20 years and never witnessed such a brazen robbery.

He told reporters that he was relieved of his wallet with $25,000 in cash along with his National ID card and other documents. In addition, he had some smaller bills that he used for change and his cellphone taken from him by the gunman.

During the robbery, a $1000 bill fell to the ground as the lone gunman was making his escape but he turned back and quickly grabbed it and got away.

After relieving the men of their valuables, the bandit then stole a bicycle that was parked nearby and rode off in a southern direction.

The two men gave chase on their motorcycles shortly after but by then the man had made good his escape.

Meanwhile, Panalall was at a loss as to how he will continue his business and take care of family since that was the second robbery he suffered for the year and it had rendered him bankrupt.

In February, Panalall was knocked off his motorcycle a short distance away from his home by three men. During that ordeal, he lost over $3M. Since then, with assistance from his parents and other relatives, he was able to raise some money which he had been using to ply his trade.

“When you is a money changer and you get rob nobody don’t want lend you money or help you, is me father back me up cause me get family and suh to feed now and we raise the $500,000 now me ain’t know what I gun do,” said Panalall.

The matter has since been reported to the police who are on the hunt for the robber.