Investigators were yesterday granted an additional 72-hours to further detain a former murder accused, who has been fingered as being the leader of a gang robbing persons leaving banks.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum yesterday told Stabroek News that the man was arrested on Tuesday after he was implicated by alleged fellow gang members who are presently in prison for the crimes.
He said the police yesterday made an application to the High Court requesting an extension to detain the suspect and it was granted.
The suspect, Blanhum said, is accused of at least three robberies, including an attack last October in the Electronics City branch in the Fogarty’s building on Water Street.
During the attack, security guard Anthony Joseph was shot to his abdomen after he attempted to foil a robbery committed on Abdel Odie, who was relieved of $1.2M, which he had just withdrawn from the nearby Republic Bank.
The lone gunman managed to escape on a motorcycle that had been parked closeby.
The suspect is also believed to be one of the men who robbed Chateau Margot businesswoman Indranie Boodhoo of approximately $6 million in January 31 at her home after she returned from the bank.
Boodhoo had just entered her yard when the bandits, armed with guns, followed behind her. An eyewitness said when the woman saw the armed men enter the yard, she threw the bag containing the money to her husband. “After she threw the bag to him, they left her and ran to him and placed the gun to his head and ask he for the money,” the witness recounted.
Stabroek News was told that after they got the money, the bandits hopped back into their vehicle and sped off.
