A Burn Bush Dam, East Canje family is traumatized and fearful for their safety after three armed bandits invaded their home early Sunday morning, threatened two children and escaped with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and valuables.
Parsram Arnold, 32, a chef of Lot 5 Burn Bush Dam, told reporters that he was asleep with his seven-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son around 3:00 hours when he suddenly felt someone choking him.
When he opened his eyes, Arnold said he saw three unmasked men standing beside his bed, two of whom were armed with guns.
According to Arnold, the men demanded money, but after he told them he had none, one of the bandits struck his son on the head with his hand, causing the child to become frightened and cry.
The men then allegedly turned their attention to his daughter, placing a cutlass to her neck and threatening to kill her if money was not handed over.
Fearing for his children’s lives, Arnold said he eventually told the bandits about some cash which had been donated to a temple he operates at the back of his home.
However, he said the men were not satisfied with the money they received and took his son to his vehicle, where they found a wallet containing another $40,000.
The bandits then reportedly went to Arnold’s shop, located in front of the house, and stole the day’s sales, along with beverages and snacks valued at about $5,000.
Jewellery belonging to Arnold, and his children was also taken.
Arnold said the men subsequently tied him and his children up and assaulted him.
“He [bandit] call somebody on the phone and he tell the person that ‘dis man lieing, he ain’t want give we the money’ and the man was like ‘he got money, shoot he, shoot he, shoot dem’ I kneel down and tell he that if he want he could ‘shoot me and left me children them’,” he stated.
Before fleeing, the bandits allegedly tied up the family and left them inside a bedroom.
Arnold said that about 15 minutes after the men left, he managed to free himself and his children. He then checked the surroundings to ensure the bandits had left before seeking help from persons nearby.
The family was subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where they received medical treatment and were discharged.
Arnold said the incident has left him deeply traumatised and unable to sleep properly.
“I am feeling traumatized. I can’t sleep in the night. Last night [Sunday night] I try to sleep and keep jumping up because like I keep seeing these three people in front of me,” he said.
He said his children are now staying with relatives because of concerns for their safety.
Arnold also said the bandits ransacked the bedrooms while searching for valuables. He explained that they gained entry to the yard after cutting a mesh fence behind the temple before removing several glass windows at the side of the house to gain access.
According to Arnold, the bandits were armed with two guns and three cutlasses.
He estimated that the robbers escaped with $375,000 in cash, five cellular phones—including a Samsung S24 Ultra and an iPhone—valued at approximately $333,000, jewellery and other items.
Arnold said he later visited a bank with two friends to deposit some of the donated money, but was only able to deposit $100,000.
Police have since questioned several persons in connection with the robbery and examined CCTV cameras in the area. The footage is expected to be reviewed as investigations continue.
No arrests have been made so far.
Source: NEW ROOMS SITE
