Cops holding three suspects in Berbice gang robbery for another 72 hours
– eight released
The police have been granted an additional 72 hours to further detain three suspects who were held in connection with Monday’s multi-million dollar robbery at the home of a Berbice cambio dealer, in which AK-47s were among the weapons used by a gang of 14.
Commander of ‘B’ Division Errol Watts told Stabroek News yesterday that based on information gathered during the preliminary investigation, an application was made in the High Court for an order to hold the three suspects beyond the maximum 72 hours allowed and the additional time was granted. Watts noted that during an identification parade one of the three suspects was positively identified by the victim.
He also said that the excop, who was among the first suspects held, has been released from police custody along with seven others. The suspects were arrested between Monday and Tuesday.
It was around 2 am on Monday that the gang of 14 men invaded the Number 79 Village, Corentyne, Berbice home of cambio dealer Devendra Churaman after breaking a window and using a sledgehammer to remove the protective iron grill. Five of the men then entered the home while nine stood guard outside, firing shots to keep neighbours at bay. After gaining entry, the men also broke down the door to the bedroom in which Churaman had secured himself, held him at gunpoint and fired off several shots in the home to compel him to comply with their demands that he hand over cash. The businessman was robbed of $20 million in cash and over $1 million in jewellery. The men then escaped. A total of eight 7.62×39 spent shells, 21 live 7.62×39 rounds of ammunition and two spent 12gauge cartridges were discovered at the scene after the attack.