Police have arrested the suspected mastermind behind the armed robbery of a Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo family in which over $4 million in cash, jewellery and other items were stolen but the victims did not identify him during an identification parade.
Commander of ‘D’ Division Edmond Cooper yesterday informed Stabroek News that although the suspect was not identified, he remained in custody as the investigation continues. “…But we are looking at other avenues,” Cooper added.
Mohan Persaud, a large-scale fish vendor, and his wife, Jennifer Persaud, were at their McWatt Street, Vergenoegen home with their children when two men and a woman, who were all armed with handguns, attacked around 7.30 pm on March 9th.
The attack lasted for half an hour and during that time the bandits terrorised the family and threatened to kill the couple’s youngest son.
One gun-butted Mohan to his face, while the two others physically assaulted his wife and daughter as they demanded cash and jewellery.
They later made good their escape with over $4 million in cash, jewellery and electronics.
Last week, a Sophia resident was charged with a total of five offences stemming from the crime and he was remanded to prison. Kellon Thom, 32, faced three counts of armed robbery as well as illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
Thom was not required to plead to the indictable charges and the matter was adjourned until April 1st.
Thom was arrested after the vehicle that is believed to have been used to transport the bandits was intercepted on the West Coast of Demerara, shortly after the attack.
He was the lone occupant at the time.
An unlicensed pistol and six live rounds were also found in his possession.
Cooper had previously related to this newspaper that the ammunition found in the car matched one of the spent shells that was recovered in close proximity to the scene of the crime.
Also recovered were G$269,000 and CDN$120.
