The suspected bandit who was killed in a shootout with police at Vryheid Village, West Canje Berbice on Tuesday, has been identified by his mother as Rondell Marks, also known as ‘Romel Hoppie’ and ‘Blackie’, 34, of Suddie Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.
According to information gathered, Marks’s mother, Monica Marks saw her son’s picture on social media sites and she journeyed to New Amsterdam and positively identified him at the Arokium Funeral Home around 12:00 hrs yesterday.
A police source said that on investigating, it was found that Marks was a former police officer. On Tuesday, police visited the home which Marks was occupying in Vryheid Village to investigate the theft of 29 head of sheep from a Betsy Ground farmer and were allegedly confronted by Marks,
who rushed into the house, armed himself with a handgun and attempted to shoot the armed policeman who was behind him. However, the policeman returned fire until Marks fell to the ground. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police retrieved a silver Taurus pistol and six live matching rounds. According to the police, after searching the house, a phone, two silver rings, a silver chain, a laptop computer and several electronic gadgets were found. Ranks have confirmed that the phone, rings and the chain belonged to a 27-year-old man of Ankerville, Port Mourant, who was robbed at gunpoint last Friday evening at Smithfield. The robber reportedly fit the description of Marks and allegedly discharged a round from a silver handgun during the attack. The farmhouse where Marks was shot is owned by a well-known convict who lives at Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam
According to a police statement, the farmer positively identified 12 of his sheep tied at the back of the farmhouse.
