A 19-year old Soesdyke resident is nursing a gunshot wound to his chest after he was caught officers of a private security firm stealing GT&T fibre optic cables at Coverden on the East Bank of Demerara.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the incident occurred at about 04:15 am on Wednesday. The Police statement said personnel from a Private Security Service responded to a report received that persons were stealing GT&T  Cable at Coverden, EBD.

“Two men were confronted and during effects to arrest them, one of the men was shot and injured to his chest. His accomplice managed to escape. The injured man has been identified as Alton Straker, 19 years, of Soesdyke, EBD. He has been admitted to the GPHC for medical treatment”, the Police report said.

The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company has been complaining bitterly about the continuous vandalism of its underground phone cables. The fibre optic cables appear to be a big merchandise for vandals who would sell them on the black market for other uses. GT&T has suffered millions of dollars in losses as a result of vandalism. Customers have also been severely affected.