Shot fired, businesswoman robbed of $2.7m in Botanic Gardens

Police are on the hunt for two bandits who robbed a businesswoman of $2.7M in cash and gold yesterday afternoon.

Stabroek News understands that the incident occurred around 3 pm in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens when an alleged bandit pounced on an unsuspecting Navita Novias as she was collecting her children.

Based on information received, Novias, a businesswoman of Grove, East Bank Demerara, had left her home earlier that morning with a handbag valued at $10,000 which contained $360,000 in cash and a quantity of gold, valued $2,400, 000 and had traveled to the city via a taxi to conduct several business transactions.

It was reported that after completing the transactions, Novias accompanied by her husband Jedeon Novias and traveling in the same taxi, went to the Botanical Gardens on Vlissingen Road to collect their children.

Reports are that during the time the woman spent waiting in the vehicle for the children, the armed assailant approached the back right passenger door and fired a single shot at the car causing the windscreen to shatter, before he demanded cash and jewellery.

The woman handed over her belongings to the man who ran in a western direction before escaping on the CG motorcycle ridden by an accomplice.

No one was reported to have been injured during the incident.

Meanwhile, Stabroek News understands that the scene and the vehicle were processed by police and one suspected .32 spent shell was retrieved; statements were taken and an investigation has been launched.