Businessman, Harry Panday and his wife were on Sunday night waylaid by armed bandits and robbed of a large quantity of cash and jewellery just as they were about to enter their Lama Avenue, Bel Air home.

The three armed bandits who carried out the robbery also drove away with the couple's RAV 4 vehicle, PGG 6283, but later abandoned it on Waterloo Street where it was recovered by police yesterday midday.

Harry Panday was too traumatised to speak to this newspaper when approached for a comment yesterday and so was his wife.

Panday is the owner of the chain of stores, Ravina's, Devina's, Athina's, Avishkar's and Anand's located in Georgetown, Plaisance and Berbice.

A statement from the Police Public Relations Department said that around 10 pm on Sunday, Panday and his wife had just entered their yard when the robbers pounced on them.

The bandits proceeded to tie up the couple and also seized a 60-year-old watchman who was on the site.

Stabroek News understands that the couple was beaten with gun butts. One of the bandits led Panday's wife into the house where the jewellery and cash were stolen. While this was going on, the two other bandits stood guard, the police statement added. After collecting the booty, the bandits then demanded the keys for the RAV 4 which they used to escape.

Police said investigations are continuing.

Over recent months there has been a number of armed robberies on businesses and citizens in and around the city. Police had promised stepped up patrols, but the bandits continue to roam.

Stabroek News was told that the Pandays' home was formerly secured by GEB Security firm. However at the time of the robbery, Panday had employed his own security.