Curtis Vasconcellos and Jason Howard have been positively identified as the gunmen who attacked and robbed Tower Suites employees on Wednesday, Commander of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken related last evening.
Investigations are currently ongoing to ascertain whether they are linked to other recent robberies but Stabroek News records show that Vasconcellos was recently committed to stand trial at the High Court for armed robbery and attempted murder. He, along with his co-accused, were released on $400,000 bail until the commencement of the trial.
On August 5, 2015, Vasconcellos and Orwin Peters, 21, were jointly charged with the attempted murder and robbery of businessman Neezam Khan. They were charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Khan with intent to kill, while robbing him of a $200,000 gold chain and a $500,000 gold ring, on June 6, at Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara.
In September the two were committed to stand trial after Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan ruled that there was enough evidence to establish a prima facie case.
Vasconcellos, 23 of Albouystown and Howard, 21, of Lot 250 East La Penitence, were captured Wednesday afternoon after a high speed chase involving police, who pursued the duo after being tipped off. The two attempted to evade law enforcement officers by jumping into a trench at East La Penitence Front Road.
Police sources related that Howard admitted to having been in possession of a firearm, but had claimed that it fell under water when he jumped into the trench.
Around 12:30 pm on Wednesday, Tower Suites accountant Baldeo Seegobin had just returned from Republic Bank’s Water Street branch with the $2.9 million cash. Shortly after the vehicle had turned in to the hotel’s parking lot, one of the bandits approached, armed with a gun.
The front passenger windscreen was shattered to give the perpetrator access to the money bag and he then made off with his accomplice, who was waiting nearby on a motorbike.
