Bandits snatch $500,000 from businessman, steal firearm

Businessman Francis Jairam, whose guard was murdered in 2002 during a robbery at his Saffon Street store, was robbed yesterday afternoon at gunpoint of over half-a-million dollars and a licenced firearm.

Jairam, 50, and his wife, Indrani, were attacked at around 17:25 hrs by two gunmen just as they were about to drive into their yard.

PROPRIETOR: Mr. Francis Jairam

The men made off with a briefcase containing an estimated $600,000, as well as Jairam's loaded .32 Browning pistol.
Jairam operates a store at High and Princes Streets and had just left the premises when he was attacked.
According to reports, the businessman and his wife had driven to their home in Saffon Street with a briefcase containing the day's sales.
On reaching their bridge, Mrs. Jairam placed the briefcase on the front seat and exited the car to open the gate for her husband.
At that moment, a man with a handgun pounced on the businessman and ordered him to hand over the briefcase.
Sources said that the businessman began to struggle with his attacker but was unable to draw his firearm, since he was strapped down by his seatbelt.
While Jairam was trying to fight off the bandit, he was attacked by another man who pulled the businessman's firearm out of its holster.
On gaining possession of the weapon, the second bandit snatched up Jairam's briefcase and fled in the direction of Broad Street , immediately followed by his accomplice.
In 2002, gunmen attacked Jairam's store, which was then situated in Saffon Street , killing a guard and escaping with a quantity of cash.