DETECTIVES in Essequibo are preparing to seek legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution Chambers on the case in which two Guyana Defence Force ranks are accused of robbing a teenager in Anna Regina and raping and robbing his girlfriend.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that the two ranks are presently in police custody and while being interrogated, one admitted to the crime while the other denied the allegations. The Guyana Defence Force is not saying much on the issue but in a statement issued to the media on Monday, the organisation said that they are supporting the police in their investigations into the matter.

The release also stated that the ranks, who were identified as being attached to the Sixth Infantry Battalion at Anna Regina, were also placed under close arrest. The Guyana Chronicle was told that given the seriousness of the offence and the fact that it’s an indictable offence, the Guyana Defense Force is in the process of making some administrative moves to have the men removed from the employ of the organisation.

Sources out of Essequibo indicated that a medical examination was conducted on the female who claimed that she was raped by the ranks and it was determined that she had some levels of bruises at her private area. The soldiers were positively identified by their victims during an identification parade after the police took statements from the young lady and her boyfriend.

The two young people alleged that on Saturday night, they were at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground eating and speaking when they were approached by the two ranks who robbed them and raped the young lady. The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the two soldiers, who were unaware that one of their victims was familiar with them, approached the couple and told the young lady that she should allow her boyfriend to have sex with her in their presence, while they watched on.