A 21-year-old businessman was fatally stabbed during a robbery yesterday afternoon in his family’s electronics store at Strathspey, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and the police have since arrested the prime suspect, who they say confessed to the crime.
Dead is Ganesh Persaud, called ‘Chris,’ of Lot 98 Strathspey.
Persaud, who sustained a single stab wound to his neck, died while receiving medical attention at a private hospital.
The robbery/murder occurred around 4.30 pm at the ‘Deals on Electronics’ store.
Shortly after, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said that the police, acting on information received, arrested the prime suspect.
At the time of his arrest, the suspect, who has been identified as Kapildeo Gangadin, 24, of Annandale, ECD, had Persaud’s gold chain in his possession.
He was questioned and admitted to committing the crime, the police said.
Persaud operated the electronics store. The family owns two other businesses: a bar and a grocery store. All of the businesses are situated a short distance apart in front of the family’s house.
The police, in a press release, said that investigations revealed that Persaud was inside the electronics store when the suspects entered to enquire about the price of a music box.
Persaud moved from behind the counter to assist the two bandits. At this point, Gangadin allegedly snatched a gold chain that Persaud was wearing. A scuffle ensued between Persaud and the suspect during which he was stabbed in his neck. The suspects then fled.
Following the stabbing, Persaud managed to make his way to his father, Devin Persaud, who was in the grocery store and informed him of what had happened. He was rushed to the hospital where he died.
When Stabroek News visited the scene yesterday there was blood all over the store and around the property
Devin explained to Stabroek News that his son was seated behind the counter when the bandits entered the store. He said whenever a customer visits, it was customary for Ganesh to move from behind the counter to assist them.
“Me son did deh selling… a guy ask he fah come out fah show he something and them try fah rob he. He got gold chain and diamond ring and money. Me ain’t know if he fight back or so but them stab he through and through he neck and kill he,” Devin wept as he tried to contain his emotions. “He seh he can’t mek it let me carry he hospital… he bleed nuff,” Devin added.
Devin said his son usually wears jewellery, especially the gold chain, which he was robbed of.
Persons who gathered at the home vented about the gruesome crime. “Them coulda rob he and tek what they wanted to tek. Them nah had to kill he,” one man said.
The electronics store does not have external security cameras. There is one camera situated inside the store which captured the suspect exiting the store.
