Bartica man wanted over Kurubrang murder

The police are seeking the assistance of the public to locate a 25-year-old man who is wanted in connection with the murder of Bartica resident Perion Nicholas Bobb, who was shot and killed more than three months ago.

In a wanted bulletin issued yesterday afternoon, the police said Farouk Khan, whose last known address is Byderabo Road, Bartica, is wanted for questioning in relation to April 21st murder of Bobb, which occurred at Kurubrang.

Stabroek News had previously reported that Bobb was killed after he was confronted by a group of men, in the wake of making a report to the police that persons were stripping a vehicle.

His co-worker, Emmanuel Jeffrey, 60, a miner of Kurubrang and of Good Hope Village, East Coast Demerara, was reportedly abducted by the men afterward.

The murder occurred around 5.30 pm on April 21st, while Bobb was transporting dredging equipment from the Kuribrong Trail to the Kuribrong Backdam for Jeffrey.

His body was later found slumped over the steering wheel of the pickup he was driving.

An autopsy later revealed that he died as a result of gunshot injuries to the chest.

The police had initially arrested two persons for questioning but they were subsequently released.

Commander of ‘F’ Division, Kevin Adonis, had previously informed this newspaper that a case file was prepared and sent for legal advice. The file, Adonis had said, was returned with recommendations for a further investigation to be conducted in the matter.

It is suspected that Bobb was shot because he reported that another miner’s

vehicle was being stripped for parts. He reported what he had witnessed to both the police and the owner of the vehicle.

Jeffrey had stated that while he and Bobb were proceeding along the trail, he observed a truck proceeding in the opposite direction at a slow rate.

As a result, he said, Bobb stopped his pickup for the truck to pass. The truck was some distance away and Jeffrey told the police he heard two explosions, after which he jumped out of the pickup and lay face down on the ground.

Shortly after, Jeffrey noted that he was ordered to jump into the truck. Fearful, he said he complied and entered the tray of the truck, where he saw about eight men, who ordered him to lay face down.

About 15 minutes into the journey, Jeffrey said, he managed to jump off the truck and made good his escape. He walked back to the scene, where he discovered that Bobb had died.

In June this year, Commissioner of Police Leslie James had told the reporters during a press conference that the investigation remains active although the police have experienced difficulty in locating witnesses. “… The crime occurred in an interior location and in terms of witness or witnesses, we have had some difficulty in that regard,” James had said.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 226-6978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 2267065, 911 or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence, police said.