A CHINESE national was still a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) up to press time last evening, having narrowly escaped being murdered while fending off two bandits.The thugs were attempting to relieve his employer, another Chinese national, of a bag of cash.

Reports reaching the Guyana Chronicle indicate that the incident occurred just seconds after proprietress, Jianquo Cai, also known as Ling, of 111-112 Regent Street, Georgetown, was attempting to enter her vehicle after closing the store.

 A friend of Cai’s told this publication that as the woman tried to open her vehicle, the unmasked bandits rode up on a CG motorcycle and pounced on her. As the men attempted to wrest the bag from the woman, she managed to open and enter her vehicle, thus fending them off.

Her employee then came out of the vehicle and confronted the men, and in the process was hit by one or more of the four rounds which the men discharged as they boarded their motorcycle and fled the scene.

Up to press time, it was not clear how many bullets had hit the man. His friend said he has been in Guyana for the past three months, while his employer has been living and doing business in Guyana for a number of years.

Persons who were in the area could not say if both wannabee bandits had firearms, but as the woman was speeding away from the scene with the injured man en route to the Georgetown Public Hospital, the vehicle she was driving, GPP 2988, suffered a blowout at the corner of Thomas and Middle Streets, causing it to fly several feet into the air before landing on its side.

Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident, although a roadside stall was totalled when the vehicle slammed into it.

Persons in the area said the vehicle was being chased by two men on a motor cycle, but this newspaper could not confirm that assertion, since the woman who was driving the vehicle at the time was unavailable for comment.
When the Guyana Chronicle visited the hospital, several Chinese nationals were pouring into the compound to check on the condition of their  countryman. One national expressed disappointment that the police were not on the road in their numbers, as is usually the case at this time of the year. He said they are skeptical to do business in the absence of police patrols in the areas where they operate.

Only Friday last, the Guyana Police Force announced its security arrangements for the Christmas season. This annual feature spoke of the increase in police presence along several streets and in several areas and communities in Georgetown.

While the force has already deployed ranks into the streets in anticipation of increased commercial activities over this present weekend, the almost full complement will be visible from Monday. That was the assurance given by ‘A’ Division Commander, Asst Commissioner George Vyphuis, since it was his division that the release focused on.
Incidentally, the attempted robbery also happened one day after crime Chief Seelall Persaud disclosed that business people are still reluctant to seek adequate security when transporting large amounts of cash.

He said some business persons have reservations about using less cash and more plastic in the forms of wire transfers and debit cards to do transactions.

Last evening, ranks from the Criminal Investigation Department were present at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and investigations into the matter are said to be ongoing.