Police in Regional Division 9 are investigating an alleged Robbery Under Arms which occurred on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, about 14:00hrs at a business place in Lethem, Central Rupununi.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim, a 27-year-old businessman of Tabatinga, Lethem, was conducting business inside the store when two males entered, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The suspects allegedly approached the cashier area, pointed the firearm in the victim’s direction and demanded cash.
The victim, fearing for his life, handed over a quantity of Guyana currency and Brazilian reais, amounting to approximately $650,000 Guyana currency. The suspects then exited the store and made good their escape on a motorcycle, which was being operated by a third male.
Police ranks responded and carried out searches in the direction from which the suspects had escaped. During the pursuit, rounds were allegedly discharged in the direction of the ranks, who returned fire. The suspects managed to escape through a flooded and heavily bushy area.
A 35-year-old male of Culvert City, Central Rupununi, was subsequently arrested. He remains in police custody, assisting with investigations.
The motorcycle, which bore no registration number, along with two helmets suspected to have been used during the commission of the offence, were recovered and lodged.
Further investigations led ranks to an area behind Plastic City, Bon Success, Tabatinga, Lethem, where Edward Arjune, called “Black Spanish,” an 18-year-old of Central Rupununi, was found unresponsive with suspected gunshot injuries.
He was taken to the Lethem Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His body is presently at the Lethem Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.
A haversack found in the area was searched, and a quantity of Guyana currency and Brazilian reais was recovered. The money was lodged pending investigation.
CCTV footage was observed at the business establishment and is being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Checks are being made to locate the other suspect as investigations continue.
