Three suspects, including a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant, who were arrested in connection with the Wallison Enterprise multi-million dollar gold heist at Kitty, are expected to be charged today by police, who say the men have confessed.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Stabroek News yesterday that as the probe continues, the police are still on the hunt for two other suspects. One of the suspects on the run is an ex-member of the GDF, while the other is described as a known character.
The three suspects in custody have been identified as the Chief Security Officer of Wallison Enterprise Peon Lee, also known as ‘Nino Brown,’ 35, who is also an ex-member of the GDF; Delroy Jackson, 27, the security guard who was on duty at the time of the robbery; and Keyon King, 32, a GDF Sergeant.
Investigators probing the robbery made a breakthrough in the case on Sunday following the discovery of some $18 million in cash, which was found buried at the Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) home of King.
Jackson was the first suspect to be arrested for the robbery followed by Lee.
Three bandits entered Wallison Enterprise at Lot 23 Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown, around 10.05 am last Thursday.
The men, who posed as customers, escaped with $38 million in cash, 60 ounces of raw gold valued $20 million and 2 cellular phones valued $360,000.
Blanhum yesterday told Stabroek News that during the investigation it was revealed that Lee purportedly orchestrated the robbery.
He is alleged to have contacted King and told him of the plot to commit the crime. Lee then allegedly put King in contact with Jackson.
According to Blanhum, it was Jackson, who was allegedly channeling information to his accomplices as to when they should carry out the crime.
Blanhum explained that the robbery was initially supposed to be carried out on Wednesday. However, it was postponed to the following day after the business owner’s family was present at the location on that day.
Jackson messaged his accomplices and informed them of the development.
On the following day, Blanhum added, Jackson allegedly contacted the suspects and told them that then was the opportune time to commit the robbery.
On their arrival, Jackson pretended he had no knowledge of what was about to transpire and he allowed the suspects into the property.
Following the robbery, the suspects drove the getaway car to a house in ‘A’ Field, Sophia. The house belongs to one of the suspects who is still on the run.
While at the house, the suspects split the loot and during the process they left evidential materials behind.
During the investigation, police, acting on information received, went to the Sophia house where they found the evidential materials. On that basis, police were able to link the evidential materials to the robbery.
Acting on further information, Blanhum said investigators went to King’s Vergenoegen, EBE house, where a search was carried out in and around the premises. During the process, the money was found buried in the backyard.
Police had said that the bandits entered the compound under the pretense of going to sell gold. The bandits wore masks and hats to hide their identities. They arrived at the scene in a white car, which they parked north of the building. They entered the compound through the main entrance.
Once inside the building, they held two employees, a 20-year-old female cashier and a 45-year-old goldsmith, at gunpoint and ordered them to the safe which contained the valuables.
