Corentyne robbery suspects likely to face charges

Police sources told Stabroek News yesterday that charges are likely be laid against the trio, who are being detained at the Springlands Police Station.

It was said that policemen who use their authority for their own use and benefit needed to be dealt with to fullest extent of the law and therefore strong messages ought to be sent when such ranks are caught.

This newspaper was told that the policeman is being treated like any other suspect and has been placed in the lock-ups along with the other two suspects.

Police said in a press release that the policeman, after being held at a roadblock set up shortly after the incident, was positively identified by businessman Ramesh Kalicharran, who was robbed of $500,000 in cash and jewellery.

The robbery occurred around 20:00 hours at Grant 1805, Crabwood Creek during which Kalicharran, 53, was robbed by two men. Police investigations have so far revealed that Kalicharran was in the shop when the two men entered on the pretext of purchasing aerated drinks. As the businessman was handing them the drinks, the men held on to his hands and one of them placed a pair of handcuffs on him. The men, according to the police, then demanded cash and jewellery and the victim handed over his personal jewellery, valued at $100,000 along with $400,000 in cash, after which they escaped.

The police responded quickly to the report and, acting on information received, stopped a motor car with two men, including the police constable, at a roadblock that had been established at the No.76 Village Public Road, Corentyne. They were arrested and taken to the Springlands Police Station along with the motor vehicle, where the constable was identified by the victim as being one of the men who had robbed him. Further enquiries led to a third suspect being arrested.