By
Zoisa
Fraser |
Friday,
April 24, 2009
Masked pirates struck several miles from the
mouth of the Pomeroon River in a brazen
afternoon attack on Tuesday leaving those
operating three fishing vessels counting their
losses, but thankful to have escaped uninjured.
The five-man gang armed with a single handgun
carried out the attacks within a two-hour
period, escaping with gasoline, an engine and
groceries. In one case, clearly upset that they
had to leave empty- handed, the men threw the
boat engine overboard.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud yesterday told
this newspaper that no one has yet been held in
connection with the incidents, but police are
conducting investigations.
A single handgun
According to the reports reaching this
newspaper, around 4 pm on Tuesday Latchman
Narine and a crew of three were aboard their
fishing boat some three miles from the river
mouth, when the masked pirates attacked them.
Brandishing a gun, the robbers relieved the
captain and crew of their engine, a quantity of
groceries and gasoline.
The men were left drifting but were later
rescued by a passing vessel.
The matter was reported to the police the
following day.
About an hour later, the pirates struck again
some distance away. They confronted Hardial
Sukhraj and a crew member aboard their vessel
and after conducting a search and making
demands, threw the boat engine overboard.
The engine was subsequently recovered and a
report was made to the police.
Then around 5.30 pm on Tuesday, the same
group of men attacked a fishing vessel captained
by Joseph Mantoos, again not far from the mouth
of the Pomeroon River.
There was one crew member with Mantoos at the
time.
Before escaping, the men collected five gallons
of gasoline and a cellular phone. They then
damaged the boat engine.
All three of the boat captains reside in the
Essequibo area, this newspaper was told.
This piracy attack comes on the heels of another
that occurred on Monday night in the Corentyne
River during which fishermen were robbed of
Yamaha outboard engines, gasoline and other
items.
Yamaha outboard engines - GINA
Fours boats were involved and the attacks
were carried out by pirates armed with a handgun
and a piece of wood.
A man believed to be involved in those attacks
was arrested by the police.
Piracy, particularly in the Pomeroon and
Berbice areas, has long been a plague on fishers
and an area of concern for the authorities.
However, it is the fishermen who operate in
the Berbice area that have suffered more as a
result of the high seas attacks.