A 20-year-old labourer, who is the stepson of a Berbice businessman allegedly robbed at gunpoint at his beverage depot, was remanded to prison on Thursday alongside a second man after both were charged with robbery under arms.
Ravandra Bissessar, of Bun Bush Dam, East Canje, Berbice, and Lofon Humphrey, 27, a food vendor of Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on October 15, 2026.

The two men were charged with robbery under arms, contrary to Section 222(c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01, in connection with the alleged robbery of 57-year-old businessman Jagnarine Persaud, also known as “Balram”, of Number Two Village, East Canje, Berbice.
The charge was read to both defendants, who were not required to plead. They were remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned to October 26, 2026.
Humphrey was arrested on Sunday, October 11, while Bissessar was taken into custody on Monday, October 12, for questioning in connection with the robbery.
The incident occurred at about 7.35 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, at Persaud’s beverage depot at Lot 180, Number Two Public Road, East Canje.
According to police reports, three masked and armed men arrived at the premises in a motor car with its indicators flashing and no registration number plate. The vehicle reportedly reversed towards the business and remained running.

Three men, including the driver and two passengers seated in the rear, exited the vehicle and intercepted a customer who was about to leave the premises.
Persaud was in his office when he heard his five-year-old son shouting. The child had run to his mother for safety amid the commotion.
Persaud reportedly rushed towards the door and encountered one of the suspects, who had entered his office. The men allegedly demanded money and threatened to kill him when he initially insisted that he had nothing to give them.

Fearing for his life, the businessman eventually handed over a key to a locked drawer, which the suspects opened before escaping with an undisclosed sum of cash.
His wife later told him that the perpetrators were armed with two guns, a bat and a cutlass.
As investigations progressed, police arrested Humphrey and recovered $500,000 in cash, along with a motor car suspected to have been used in the robbery.
A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of a .32 revolver containing two rounds of ammunition. The firearm, ammunition, cash and motor car were subsequently lodged.