A 57-year-old Corentyne businessman and his partner were on Sunday tied up by armed men and robbed of over $1.3 million in cash, jewellery and other valuables.

The armed robbery occurred at Friendship, East Berbice-Corentyne, around 20:10hrs. According to a police report, three men armed with guns pounced on the victims while they were sitting in hammocks.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to a still traumatised Jessica Freddy on Monday. The 23-year-old woman recalled that she and her partner were in hammocks under the house having dinner when the three men entered from the back and held them at gunpoint. She said they were later forced into the house.

Whilst inside, the men demanded that they hand over “money.” The traumatised woman said she did not hesitate since she was scared. She handed over $500,000, but that was not enough for the gunmen.

“They run up to us and took us in the house and demanded money. I give it to them then he start demanding, saying they know that we have more, that I have to get spending money, that I can’t have this money alone,” she recalled.

Freddy subsequently handed over an additional $50,000 that was in her purse as well as several pieces of jewellery, including a diamond ring valued at US $3000, one gold ring valued at $30,000, one gold chain valued at $100,000, a watch valued at $20,000, one iPhone valued at US$1000, whisky and 30 vehicle registrations for tractors, cars and combines.

Freddy told this publication that after the bandits left, she untied her partner’s hands and feet; only her feet were tied. During the ordeal, her partner was struck to the eyes.

The woman said they immediately contacted the police and after ranks failed to show up 45 minutes later, they went to the Whim Police Station where they waited for some time.

Ranks from a patrol vehicle that had arrived just as they were leaving, took them to the crime scene. An investigation into the armed robbery is in progress; the police are still looking for the perpetrators.