A YOUNG businessman narrowly evaded an attack and robbery attempt by three men at the Enterprise Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara early yesterday morning but lost his car in the process.

Imran Khan, 34, said the attackers set his car on fire as he fled for his life after managing to slip out of the vehicle as the three closed in on him.

NARROW ESCAPE: Imran Khan with his children, Cyndyen Ann, four, and Amer, two. Not in photo is other daughter six-year-old Bibi. (Corwin Williams photos)

He said he usually buys fresh and salted fish wholesale at the wharf at Meadowbrook, East Bank Demerara to supply the village of Enterprise where he lives.

According to the father of three, in order to get stock he would usually leave home at 03:30 hrs (3:30 a.m.) each day with his car which was purchased last March.

He said the gates at the wharf open at 05:00 hrs each day and hundreds converge on the site to compete for bargains.

Khan said he was on his way to Meadowbrook as usual yesterday when at about 04:05 hrs he observed two men on the railway embankment. He said he stopped his car a few feet away from them as he contemplated what to do and to observe their actions.

Maintaining a cool composure while recounting his ordeal, he pointed out that the reason he did not attempt to drive away was because one of the men was armed with a gun while the other held an object in his hand that looked like a jar, and he feared attempting to drive forward might have resulted in him being shot and killed.

Within those few seconds while contemplating his next move, he said he saw out of the corner of his eye a third man rushing to the car from out of the ditch that runs parallel to the road.

This man had a plank with which he lashed out at Khan, the businessman said. He said the blow missed him but the plank hit the right side of the car, shattering the driver's window.

As a result of the impact, he said his foot slipped off the clutch, the car lurched forward and the engine died.

After the first blow the man jabbed the plank through the broken window in an attempt to disable him in the car, the driver related.

BURNT: the shell of Khan's car, PZ 1063, after the fire.

Khan said this attempt failed and he recognised his only option was to run since the other two men he had first observed were rapidly covering ground as they hastened to help their accomplice.

He said there was no time to restart the car and he was not willing to take such a risk. "If I stay here I dead so it's best I try a ting", he had concluded to himself.

He said he did not even look back as he tried to increase the distance as much as possible between himself and his attackers.

He added that he was heading for a nearby pasture but diverted when a security guard at the Dipcon construction company compound opened the gate and called him.

"I ain't see which direction they go; me nah look back, me ain't even know if any a them chase me after that, cause me just put speed", he said.

He said that when he looked back he saw his car, which was vital for his business, in flames.

The car had been completely burnt when the Chronicle visited the scene yesterday.

Khan said the security at Dipcon called for help and an Army patrol arrived on the scene seven minutes after but the three men had already vanished.

The Army patrol subsequently went with Police from the Vigilance Police Station to the scene to carry out investigations.

While thanking God for preserving his life, Khan recalled that while he was driving out an Army patrol had passed him heading into the village before he encountered the bandits.

The young businessman is convinced that the men had seen the patrol and remained hidden until the soldiers had passed. He also felt the reason the gun was not used in the robbery attempt was that the bandits feared the sound of gunshots would have attract the patrol's attention.

"Praise God I ain't had on me seat belt", he added, noting he might not have had enough time to slip it out and escape.

He said his car had seat belts prior to the fire but pointed out that given the current environment, "you have to expect these things in the morning."

His wife said some seven hours after the ordeal she was still shaken and shocked but grateful her husband is alive. She expressed concern that the car which was essential for the business is now destroyed and it was their only source of income.

The young businessman said he is now helpless and without another car his business will suffer.

He noted the need for firearms to be issued to businessmen and said he was contemplating approaching the Government for assistance.

Monday, January 20, 2003