Eight persons, including an ex-police officer, are currently in custody in connection with the Number 79 Village home invasion in which cambio dealer Devendra Churaman was robbed of millions in cash and jewellery early on Monday morning.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum yesterday told Stabroek News that the suspects were arrested between Monday and yesterday. They remained in custody up to last evening and will be further questioned today.
Blanhum also said that investigators yesterday also interviewed Churaman for a second time.
A gang of fourteen men, heavily armed with guns including AK 47s, and a cutlass invaded the Lot 93 Albert Street, Number 79 Village, Corentyne home of Churaman around 2am on Monday.
Sources told Stabroek News that several of those in custody presently are repeat offenders who were previously charged with armed robbery. This newspaper was told that many of the gang members reportedly hail from the New Amsterdam and the Canje areas.
Churaman had told Stabroek News that five men gained entry to his home by breaking his front window and removing his iron grill with a sledgehammer. Neighbours had relayed that nine men stood guard outside and repeatedly discharged rounds in an effort to deter residents from rushing to Churaman’s aid. The five men who invaded the cambio dealer’s home held him at gunpoint and fired off several shots in the home before Churaman complied with their demands that he hand over cash.
They made good their escape with over $20M in local and foreign currency and a quantity of jewellery. This was confirmed yesterday by Churaman, who said that he is hoping that the investigators will soon “nail the culprits.”
A total of eight 7.62×39 spent shells, 21 live 7.62×39 rounds of ammunition and two spent 12- gauge cartridges were discovered at the scene after the attack.
