Cops detain six in probe of grenade outside KN’s office

Six persons including the owner of a car that was impounded on Saturday evening, less than an hour after a grenade was lobbed near the vehicle of Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall, were arrested yesterday morning as the probe into the matter continues.

Police, in a statement yesterday, said after reviewing surveillance footage, ranks detained a car matching the description of the vehicle used and six suspects. The suspects were arrested in the wee hours of yesterday at different locations and are in custody assisting with investigations, the statement said.

The vehicle suspected to have been used to transport the persons who threw a grenade near the vehicle of Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall on Saturday evening was parked inside the East La Penitence Police station yesterday afternoon.
The vehicle suspected to have been used to transport the persons who threw a grenade near the vehicle of Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall on Saturday evening was parked inside the East La Penitence Police station yesterday afternoon.

A police source told Stabroek News that the vehicle, a grey Toyota Spacio, PSS 5252, was found abandoned in the vicinity of Norton Street and Mandela Avenue after it reportedly hit a woman before slamming into a utility post. The car owner initially told investigators that his vehicle was hijacked at Albert Street on Saturday evening.

Stabroek News understands that the owner changed his story after he learnt that his vehicle fitted the description of that from which the grenade was thrown. He then said he had lent the vehicle to someone. The police are currently on the hunt for that individual.

The suspects, who are between the ages of 20-25 years old, were arrested at various locations in Georgetown including Kitty and Sophia. Up to late last evening, they were being questioned in relation to the crime.

The grenade was on Saturday evening lobbed outside the offices of the Kaieteur News on Saffon Street, Charlestown, where staff had gathered for a wake for senior reporter Dale Andrews, 47, who died on Saturday morning due to heart complications.

The device, which did not explode, was thrown at Lall’s vehicle, which was parked in front of the building at the time. It landed near to one of the front wheels. Bomb experts have since been able to destroy and dispose of the grenade at the Kingston seawall.