As the police widen their investigation of the robbery attempt outside of El Dorado Trading that left gold miner Deon Stoll dead, they have managed to secure court approval to further detain the seven persons who were taken into custody.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that the 72-hour period for which law enforcers could hold the suspects for questioning without charge expired.
As a result, an application was made to the High Court for more time and it was successful.
Among the persons in custody are a woman and a doctor who allegedly treated one of the wounded perpetrators
Contacted last evening for an update on the case, Crime Chief (ag) Michael Kingston told Stabroek News that the investigation is “widening” and the police are “vigorously” pursuing two suspects, Delon ‘Demon’ Morgan and Lennox Estwick, who are wanted in relation to the crime.
“We approached the High Court for more time because this investigation is widening” Kingston said.
The police on Sunday issued wanted bulletins for Morgan also known as “Shane Morgan”, 33 whose address is unknown and Estwick, 23 of Lot 640 South Amelia’s Ward.
The men are both wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Stoll.
Stoll, 44, a father of two of Baramita Avenue, Bel Air, was shot and killed last week Monday after armed bandits attempted to rob him upon his arrival at El Dorado Trading in Newtown, Kitty to transact business.
His driver, Clayton Powley, 43, of Turkeyen, and the security guard of the business, Rory Deegs, 40, of Lot 7025 Herstel-ling, East Bank Demerara, were also injured.
An autopsy later showed that Stoll died as a result of a gunshot injury to the lower abdomen.
The shooting, which saw the exchange of “rapid gunfire”, unfolded around 10.15 am at Lot 63 Da Silva Street, Newtown, Kitty.
Police spokesman Jairam Ramlakhan, in a statement on the shooting, had said enquiries revealed that Stoll and Powley had just finished transacting business at a Sheriff Street, Campbellville location, where they collected a sum of cash.
Ramlakhan said they then proceeded to El Dorado Trading to conduct further business when the shooting unfolded. “On arrival, a motor car which was travelling behind their vehicle stopped and two men exited the car wearing caps with their faces tied with kerchiefs,” the police had said.
One of the bandits had a gun, while the other was armed with a knife.
“One with a knife approached Powley while the other approached Stoll with a handgun,” the police said before adding that the knife-wielding bandit ordered Powley to get out of the car while the other told Stoll not to draw his firearm.
However, according to the police, Powley exited the car and attempted to fend off his attacker and he was shot in one of his hands.
By this time Stoll drew his licensed firearm and he and the gunman exchanged gunfire.
The bandits then ran and re-entered their car, which was driven by a male accomplice.
They made good their escape empty-handed by driving west along Da Silva Street and turned south onto Vlissengen Road.
Kingston had previously informed Stabroek News that it is suspected that the bandits trailed Stoll and Powley before confronting the men as they were about to enter the business establishment.
“Based on what I know for now, the persons (bandits) probably trailed the car from where they were coming from and they attempted to rob the persons. In the process, both the driver (Powley) and the passenger (Stoll) were shot,” he said.
He had added that Stoll returned fire and it is believed that one bandit was wounded as a result.
Deegs, who was shot twice, had told Stabroek News that he was performing his duties inside the business place when the shooting began.
He believes that Stoll accidentally shot him because he misidentified him as one of the robbers since he was dressed similarly at the time.
A Toyota 212 motor car, HC 7162, suspected to be the one used to carry out the crime, was discovered abandoned at Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara last Tuesday evening.
Stabroek News had reported that the police were called in after residents in the area noticed two men exiting the car before disappearing.
The car bore what appeared to be a gunshot hole in the back windshield.
