RONALD Balgobin, called Coolie Boy, of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara was arrested on Thursday afternoon moments after demanding four thousand dollars from a motorist who had failed to wear a seat belt.

The 20-year-old alleged con artist told this reporter that it was his first brush with the law, and that he was sorry he had committed the incident, which resulted in two motorists being defrauded of $8,000.

He said the needs of his young wife and two-month-old daughter has forced him to commit the act.
“Things (were) bad at home. The baby needed milk and pampers. I decided to try a thing,” he confessed.

He said he had previously worked as a security officer with Demerara Bank, but was laid off. Since then, he said, life has been difficult at his Lot 5 Meadow Brook Drive home in Georgetown.

His relationship with his step-father became sour, and he was forced to migrate to Reliance Village in East Canje, Berbice.

This newspaper was informed that Balgobin had reported for duty at the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, saying that he was Sergeant Singh who had been transferred from Georgetown. At that time, he had ‘taken’ a motorist from whom he had defrauded $4000.

It was revealed that ranks were informed of the impersonator’s presence, and a subsequent arrest was made. Investigations are continuing.