The police are under pressure to solve at least a dozen murders, a bizarre shooting and the unexplained death of a high-profile murder accused, all over the last 12 months or so, though the motive in many of these cases remains uncertain and suspects were held and later released.
Ramzan Ali
Shenese Richardson-Austin
The solving of high-profile crimes, especially murders, has always been a challenge for the police and Crime Chief Seelall Persaud earlier this year had attributed this to the force’s limited forensic capacity, lack of cooperation from witnesses and the public and the exodus of experienced officers.
The force’s biggest challenge to date appears to be the recent discoveries of the gutted bodies of three men. The bodies suspected to be missing crew members of the Island Princess – Ryan Chin, Titus Buckery Nascimento and Mahendra Singh called `Sunil’ — washed up at various locations in Essequibo River. There were four sailors aboard the vessel and there has been no word on the fourth man, suspected to be Rickford Bannister.
Because of the decomposing state of the bodies they were immediately buried but relatives of Chin, Nascimento and Singh have identified a tattoo, a cellular phone and other items recovered with the bodies.
Thakur Persaud
Raphael Piggott
However, days later the bodies were exhumed and DNA samples taken to help confirm their identities. Because Guyana lacks the relevant facilities, the samples are to be sent overseas for testing. This was also done for the Lindo Creek massacre and to date the authorities in Jamaica where they were sent are yet to release those results.
Why the men were murdered is a question that seems to have no answer, though some security sources have told this newspaper that the vessel the men were on may have been caught up in a drug deal, which led to the violent murders.
Contact with the vessel had been lost about a week prior to the discoveries. The vessel which was found drifting off the coast of Grenada last Monday is currently being processed by the police on that island. Local police are awaiting its arrival here to commence investigations with the hope that some clues may be found.
Following the disappearance of the vessel and the subsequent discoveries of the bodies, police said they had approached Interpol and the US DEA for assistance.
Under fire
A car transporting a group of Muslims to masjid came under heavy gunfire on August 30 leaving one of its occupants, Wayne Smith, nursing serious injuries to his shoulder.
Two of the survivors were adamant that it was a clear case of mistaken identity since none of them had any issue with anyone.
Smith who spent some time in hospital after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet, has since expressed the belief that the case will remain unsolved, contending that the police are showing no interest.
Though there were no leads, the police had said that investigators had received information and were pursuing specific leads.
A suspect is yet to be charged and the motive for the attack is still unclear.
Smith, Denis Edwards, his cousin Winston Edwards called Abdullah Muhammed and Omali (only name given) were on their way to a mosque in Ruimveldt to pray when they came under heavy gunfire. At the time of the incident Smith was driving, Winston was in the front passenger seat while the other two were seated at the back.
From all accounts, a gunman ambushed the car jumping from behind a Canter truck parked at the side of the road and opened fire. The four occupants suspected that the man was armed with an AK 47. After he ran out of bullets, according to reports, an accomplice walked up to the car and fired two more shots inside. Smith told this newspaper that during the ordeal they were praying aloud and at the end of it he and Winston Edwards were injured. Sixteen 7.62 x 39 and one .32 spent shells were found at the scene, the police said.
Unclear circumstances
Two businessmen were killed in July and June respectively under unclear circumstances and the motive/s for their murders remains unknown to investigators.
Ramzan Ali was discovered dead in the trunk of his rental car which was found abandoned along the Coldingen Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara on July 12.
A plastic bag was duct taped over his head. A post-mortem later revealed that he died as a result of asphyxiation due to suffocation compounded by severe blunt trauma to the head.
There has been no breakthrough in this investigation and investigators are still baffled as to what may have led to the man’s murder.
Though no one was charged several persons were grilled.
Then in June, another businessman Thakur Persaud, was riddled with bullets by unknown men on the UNAMCO trail and it is suspected that he was shot at close range. During the incident, the gunmen stole nothing. Persaud along with four others had been charged after 100 kilogrammes of cocaine which was found at a house in Enterprise, East Coast Demerara in May 2007. He was later exonerated of the charges
Speaking to Stabroek News following the incident Devi was not optimistic that the killers would be found.
Biscuit
Three months after murder accused David Leander also known as ‘Biscuit’ and David Zammett died from suspected poisoning, there is no word from the police on the results of the toxicology samples that were taken from his body.
Leander was at the time before the court charged with the murders of Minister Satyadeow Sawh, two of his siblings and his security guard.
A close relative had said that she had no confidence in the force making any results public adding that the man’s death came as a great shock as they (the relatives) were looking to have him exonerated so that he could leave the country and start a new life.
The woman had recounted that during his last three court appearances, she had noticed that he was losing weight rapidly and it was during this time that he informed her of his poor health.
Leander had complained of feeling unwell and of being unable to sleep.
The man died on July 24, days after he was admitted to the Georgetown Hospital. A post-mortem examination failed to determine how he died.
Keith Bowen
Why Sheriff Taxi driver Keith Bowen was dumped on Sussex Street, West La Penitence after being shot and his car stolen in March is still baffling.
Robbery was ruled out as the man’s car was found intact the following morning.
Bowen, a resident of First Street, Vigilance, East Coast Demerara was found near the entrance to the `Island’ at West La Penitence bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound.
Police were called to the scene and they took the still breathing man to the Georgetown Hospital where he later died.
Residents had reported that a white car stopped briefly on the dark road and an explosion was heard shortly after. The car subsequently drove off. An elderly woman passing near the area was the first to see him and raised an alarm.
The police last reported that there are no new developments in the case.
No breakthroughs
The firearm which was stolen from Muneshwar Pargass who was murdered at his Letter T home in January was found in the possession of the men who kidnapped a Mahaicony rice farmer, a month ago. However there was no breakthrough in the Letter T case at the man’s wife failed to identify a suspect during an identification parade.
According to the police, the man and his wife were alerted that something was wrong when they heard their dog barking. The husband went to investigate and shortly after his wife heard a loud explosion and her husband of ten years screaming.
She was later confronted by three men, two of whom were armed with guns and the other with a cutlass. They tied her up and then took away cash, jewellery and the shotgun.
The woman eventually managed to free herself and upon checking she found that her husband had been shot and killed, a bullet piercing his chest.
Hairdresser murder
What appeared to a be a robbery which became violent, but what relatives believe was a well-planned murder, left 25-year-old Shenese Richardson-Austin with around 13 stab wounds. The woman bled to death.
The West Ruimveldt hairdresser was the only person beaten and stabbed in an attack at her mother’s home on December 15 last where she returned to live about four months before her death, escaping abuse at the hands of her husband, who she had also accused of infidelity.
A man had gone to the family’s home at around 11 that night to purchase cigarettes and when the woman’s sister turned around while serving him, the man barged into the house. Three other men soon joined him. The men had guns and three of them were masked. They escaped with jewellery, Richardson’s phone and a substantial amount of cash, but not before beating her and stabbing her even though she offered no resistance, her relatives recounted. The woman’s husband, who had threatened her many times, was arrested but subsequently released by the police.
Raphael Piggott
Another baffling case and one suspected to be drug related was the execution-style shooting of clothes vendor Raphael Piggott.
Piggott was shot by a lone gunman on November 8 last as he was about to drop off a friend – Vincent Da Costa — at his Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge home. The gunman then fled the scene in a car while the wounded Piggott was subsequently pronounced dead at a city hospital.
Police found US$14,041 and 1,100 euros in the vehicle and later revealed that eight packets of cocaine weighing eight kilogrammes were found concealed in the fuel tank of the vehicle, forcing them to conclude that the murder was drug related. Piggott’s relatives have maintained though that he was not involved in any illegal activities.
Alicia Foster
Although the police questioned several persons over the murder of Environmental Protection Agency employee Alicia Foster who was shot at point blank range on October 12 last, the case remains unsolved.
Foster was sitting in her car waiting for her sister to open the gate to their David Street, Kitty home around 10 o’clock that night when she was approached by a man who demanded that she exit the car and shot her after she allegedly refused. The man then dragged her out and drove away in the car while his accomplice fled the scene. The car was found the next day abandoned in North Ruimveldt. Observers and relatives have doubted that the killing was as a result of a carjacking or robbery.
Among the other cases that the police are yet to make an arrest in are the murders of Vanburn Allicock in January this year, Neville Mellville in February and Vivian Walker in December last. These killings were reportedly sparked by disputes. In one instance a wanted bulletin was issued for the suspect and in another, relatives of the victim had expressed fear that the man may leave the country.
SANDHURST FIRST, WE NEED YOU TO PUT YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SANDHURST MILITARY ACADEMY ON THE TABLE. OTHERWISE SILLY FOLKS LIKE LAMBADA WILL ALWAYS HAVE STONES TO THROW AT YOU. MOREOVER WE CANNOT TAKE YOU SERIOUS UNTIL WE HEAR YOUR SIDE OF THE STORY. PERHAPS EVEN AN APOLOGY.
How about dining at Base Camp Ayanganna on “Christmas Day” and obtain all the information about “WHAT (HAPPENS) AT THE SANDHURST MILITARY ACADEMY”; but, for now how about keeping the focus on this Stabroek News (SN) article. And, then again what would you have been doing before you posted your comment if there was no Stabroek News around as some folks might have wished.
BTW, what is more important to you and the members of your family at this juncture in time – “The H1N1 Virus that has killed over one thousand persons in the United States of America alone”, the “Inconvenient Truth – Re: Global Warming; or, “an incident at a place where you were not present at the time”?
Get real and stop wasting your time unless you do not have anything better to do with it; as, it it quite certain that those at Sandhurst College and at Base Camp Ayanganna can adequately take care of their business unless you wish to make yourself (like some others) a spectacle by posting your crap on this privileged Stabroek News forum.
old hammer like you have a problem with sandhurst has he done anything to you or your family members, look at the
headline bro/sis keep your personal feelings to yourself.
regards
turbo
Let SHF answer OLD HAMMER man,,,he talking too much trash,,,OLD HAMMER know him well from the army…SHF now blaming other people for his mistakes…
I saw this same blog from you yesterday…and I am very NOT curious as to who you are!!!!….WHY DON’T YOU ASK ALL THE BLOGGERS HER TO PLACE THEIR PERSONAL STORY ON THIS WEBSITE OR BETTER YET YOU use your real name…..I have NO APOLOGY TO ANYONE FOR ANYTHING FOR WHICH I NEVER DID….so there you go.
SandHurst First, you just be yourself, you do not have to give anyone here a response to anything.
What happened at The Royal Military Academy SandHurst will stay there and remain there for we do not care.
Yo “Soldier (Opposition Forces at Work)”! Re: “Let SHF answer OLD HAMMER man,,,he talking too much trash,,,OLD HAMMER know him well from the army…SHF now blaming other people for his mistakes……”
How about “Old Hammer 196.7.90.43″, “the current Guyana Government”, and “you” tell the Guyanese tax payers: (1). How many “scholarship recipients” (during the Burnham led PNC era returned to Guyana to serve that country after receiving the education in foreign countries; (2). How much reparations were received by Guyanese descendants of slaves after more than five hundred years of slavery in Guyana; and, (3). What economic justifications there are for the majority control of Guyana’s bauxite operations (the birth rights of unborn Guyanese children as well as present generations…) in the hands Russians and Chinese . And, as you you “Soldier (Opposition Forces at Work)” and “Old Hammer 196.7.90.43″ – Why are you both not now living in Russia or China and running your mouths from there minding other people’s business and not your own.
It is quite understandable “Mary John” for some persons to do what they are doing. How so!!! To be kept on a particular payroll to attempt to detract from what should really matter to law abiding American and Guyanese citizens; and, while Guyana’s natural resources are being raped left, right and center; and, robbing Guyanese children (in particular) of a brighter social and economic future.
Keep it “lit” Sandman and Stabroek News; and, the Internet Generals have got your backs.
Oh boy, this is the same force that a man name Green was given a further 2 years because some people here said he was honest and hard working now they can’t even solve the murder involving the ANTS and the CAR WHEEL.
I thought crime had dropped according to crime chief seelall, now they want to admit what guyanese already knew, the gpf is inept thanks to the president for not bringing in help that was offered by the british, canadian and american to improve security in guyana.
From these reports one has to wonder if that “Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) money” that was reportedly went to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the establishment of a “Police Intelligence” (Computerized Data-Base) to help fight crime in Guyana has gone to waste!!!
So, how about foreign assistance….; or, is there something to hide!!!
Ummm, Ummm, Ummm….
Here is the Stabroek News (SN) article of reference to which was alluded in my earlier comment:
Re: “US$22M security programme launched -lack of reliable crime data noted”
Which went on to state in part “In the wake of two horrific massacres, the US$22M Citizen’s Security Programme (CSP) aimed at tackling crime on a variety of fronts was launched yesterday with a call from an IDB official for strong leadership in the Home Affairs Ministry to ensure there is no donor duplication in the sector.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee officiated at the launching of the CSP at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara along with a two-day workshop for senior police officers on the execution of the CSP. He said that at present the security sector is in strong competition with the social sector for national budgetary and donor community resources.
Among the main projects the CSP is expected to deliver are the rehabilitation of 12 police stations, the full functioning of a crime observatory to allow for data analysis and policy decision, the construction and operationalising of a forensic laboratory; computer training for members of the police force in a newly-remodelled and rehabilitated computer classroom and a pool of international experts assisting the Police Commissioner in the modernisation of the Guyana Police Force.
IDB Country Representative Marco Nicola said in an overview that the programme, which is being funded with an IDB contribution of US$19.8 million, has as its main goal enhancing citizen security and coexistence by contributing to the reduction of crime, violence and fear in Guyana…”
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2008/stories/02/21/us22m-security-programme-launched-lack-of-reliable-crime-data-noted/
Stabroek News (SN) Moderators – Can a follow-up to the above referenced news article be undertaken to determine if the “IDB contribution of US$19.8 million” has gone to waste; and, the equipment for the “modernisation of the Guyana Police Force” are presently gathering dust.
A long winded, repetitious non-story.. But it has some “value”. You know why folks ? Because the singing started already from the no hopers who love to see such “stories” about crime, mayhem and disorder: “Me is so happy..SO HAPPY ! .The government en doing nothin to protect people…Me is…” (The no hopers singing -not me. Get it, folks ?)
Well, (Ever)-”Reddy”! With General Elections 2011 fas approaching… is there any guess which political party in Guyana would be only “so happy..SO HAPPY” to go to the electorate in their constituencies for a mandate to prevent crime like it did over the last decade.
And, how about comparing crime fighting under 28years of a PNC led Government to that of the last 17 years of a PPP led Government. Which was worse?
jagdeo police force will continue to be effective until they have a real commissioner of police. the present commissioner is inept,incompetent and incapable of dealing with the situation in guyana. the crime chief talk about the exodus of experience officers. what about the police officer that when to qualify himself and was forced out by the government ? jagdeo is to be blamed for the state of affairs that exist now in the country.
It is the need to fill the space. I am not seeing anyoine here calling for the investigation of these murders. Dey calling for investigation for the killing of the murderers.
What a travesty!
Reddy I see you took an over dose of happy pills.
Reddy, you make me remember when George Bush stopped the news media from showing photos of dead soldiers coming back from Iraq. He was afraid it would make people turn against the war. His rationale was as long as they can’t see it they will think it was not happening, get it? Yawwwwwwn.
Thanks SN for keeping these cases relavant.I am sure the relatives are happy that you shinning light on these cases.
It is a crying shame that the calibre of police is so weak that simple things seem to baffle them. Crime lab? That would be even more baffling. Raise the standard and qualifications for police and pay them decent wages – Seelall needs to have an attractive recruitment package and strategies for retention. Education and training!!!!!
Pay the experienced people better and they may stay. I do not however think that is the problem. The police force is just corrupt like the government and will only perform for one set of persons like the government will.
The Government has to implement a trustworthy witness protection programme where witnssses can be sure that they will be protected whenever they come foward to give evidence.I think that a lot of murders are not being solved because people are not given enough assurances that they will be protected from being the next target.
Yet they are asking locals to give information about RK and his gang that happen so long ago,and Fineman and his gang who are all dead while these pertinent issues are gathering dust primarily because of incompetence.GPF you need external help what do you have to hide.
COPs anda pressure?
wut pressure?
Coppers…most coppers in Guyana know wha ah guh on deh…
Yawl nah fool allwya seff….
de ada tabloid reporting dis marning how dem ketch sum army man dem wid hi powa weapons and gat dem in ah de lack up…