The suspect who was arrested on Monday shortly after cutlass-wielding bandits chopped and robbed Goberdhan and Haimwantie Mahabir at their Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara shop has been released from custody.
When contacted for an update on Saturday, Commander of ‘D’ Division Leslie James told Stabroek News that the man was released from police custody after the maximum three-day detention period expired.
The male individual, the police had said, fitted the description of one of the suspects. James said efforts continue to apprehend the perpetrators of the crime.
Meanwhile, a niece of the Mahabirs on Saturday said that they remain hospitalised under observation. “They keep telling we that they will get discharge but when we go visit them we hear that he (Goberdhan) was going to get up and he fall down so like he still weak and she (Haimwantie) can’t chew properly and so yet”, the relative explained.
Goberdhan also known as `Gavin’ and his wife, Haimwantie called `Sangeeta’ sustained several chop and stab wounds about their body after they were attacked by four bandits, who were dressed in black and armed with knives and cutlasses.
The attack took place at their Lot 3 Nowrang Dam, Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara residence, which also houses their business, popularly known as “Gavin Shop” during which the bandits fled with the day’s sales.
Reports had revealed that around 9.30pm on Monday, the Mahabirs were about to close for the day when four masked men, who were dressed in black and armed with knives and cutlasses, scaled their fence.
The police had noted that after pouncing on the couple, the robbers demanded cash and other valuables.
However, not satisfied with what they got, the police said the suspects stabbed and chopped the victims before fleeing the scene.
Shanti, a relative, had explained to this newspaper that based on what the Mahabirs related to the family, Goberdhan had just padlocked their gate when he was attacked. “He tell we is turn he turn he back to go in the shop now and lock in the door when the four of them with big, big cutlass jump the front fence and start chop he and stab he up,” she had said.
She added that while two of the bandits surrounded Goberdhan, the other two accomplices ripped open the door to the shop and they launched an attack on Haimwantie. “They scramble her (Haimwantie) and she start fight with them and they push she down and start juk up she and she start holler,” she said.
During the altercation, Haimwantie reportedly unmasked one of her attackers, who became angry and inflicted more injuries on her.
At this point, a passerby stopped his vehicle and rushed to the assistance of the couple. An alarm was raised and he assisted in transporting them to the hospital.
