An Onderneeming Phase Two family is still calling for adequate recompense after members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit broke into their home and ransacked it last year.
Orin Klass and his family are still coming to grips with what happened on September, 15, 2021 as to date they are still living in fear.
Klass told Stabroek News that he is currently seeking legal advice on the way forward.
The father of five said that he cannot afford to replace any of the household items that were damaged during the raid. He also explained that no psychological support was given to his family.
On September 15, 2021, the doors of the family’s home were kicked down around 3 am by members of the SWAT unit, who searched his premises without issuing or providing any warrant.
Klass has alleged that he was also assaulted and his doors as well as many of his household items, such as his wardrobe, were damaged by the members of the unit. He recalled that when the ranks kicked down his doors, his children woke up and were screaming. He also related that his daughter started to scream when she saw the men, who had guns.
His 21-year-old stepson was arrested during the search. He was later released without charge.
Klass was told that his son was wanted for robbery/murder. The father is maintaining that even if that was the case then the lawmen could have asked him to see his son instead of damaging his items. “If they had told me that they wanted my son then fine he would have gone or a police from Region Two could have come peacefully,” Klass said.
Klass said he had suffered a broken arm eight months ago and when the lawmen approached him they hurt his arm again. He alleged that the members of the unit bound him and the members of his family while they were ransacking his house. He had only come out of the interior one week ago before the ordeal.
The episode was reported and to date the family has not heard anything from the police, including why the search was conducted in such an unprofessional manner. Klass has also questioned who will replace the damaged household items.
“I just want justice. I cannot afford the buy back the things. I did not hear back anything from the police or no one. They just come, kick down the door and do the damage and left. My family now have to live in fear,” Klass lamented.
The SWAT Unit had visited the region after intelligence was provided to the police about several irregularities taking place at Onderneeming and the Klass house was identified. The raid of his home occurred an hour before a similar SWAT raid at the home of businessman Orin Boston, who was shot dead during the operation. A policeman was charged last Friday with manslaughter as a result of the killing.
