Bandits escaped with an undisclosed sum of valuables and three firearms after breaking into seven New Amsterdam Market stalls and the town's Constabulary office at around 03:00hrs yesterday.

The bandits locked three unarmed market constables in an old stall after raiding Danzie's Fashion,

Busgith Haberdashery Store,

Hack and

Ken Stall D14, Husain's Jewellery,

Ramo and Farria's Jewellery,

 McLean Jewellery and another establishment.

The owners of Hussein's and McLean's said they lost about $800,000 and $125,000 respectively in jewellery.

It is believed that the men escaped via the Berbice River, since the guards later said that they heard the sound of a speedboat moving off.

Initial reports indicate that five masked men, who all had firearms, entered the market premises from the wharf by the Berbice River.

The bandits then subdued the three constables before breaking open the main gate to the market, and forcing open the stalls.

Next, the bandits took the hapless constables to the Constabulary Office.

They broke into the office, and removed two hand- guns, a shotgun, ammunition and a pair of handcuffs which had been secured in a cupboard.

When this was done, the bandits allegedly took the three constables behind the compound where they locked them in an old stall before escaping with their booty.

Zinool Husain, owner of Husain's Jewellery, said that when he got to his business place yesterday morning about $800,000 in silver and gold jewellery was gone. Only half a pair of a silver earrings remained.

He said that they did not open their store on Wednesday but had secured it on Tuesday afternoon before they left.

Helena Khan, who operates the McLean Jewellery store, said the bandits stole all the cosmetics in her show case and clothing valued at $125,000.

Imran Busgith of Busgith Haberdashery Store said that his stall was ransacked but their losses were minimal.

Owner of Ramo and Farria's Jewellery, Ramesh Lall, said that he did not lose anything but his locks were broken and his place was in a state of disarray.

Abdool Rasheid Hack, who runs the Hack and Ken Stall, said that the men broke the locks to gain entry but took nothing.