Cops issue wanted bulletin for suspect in assault on TT singer

Less than a month after Trinidadian soca singer Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc was assaulted in front of the Palm Court nightclub, the police on Monday issued a wanted bulletin for one of the suspects.

According to the bulletin, Maverick De Abreu, 27, whose last known address is unknown, is wanted for questioning in relation to inflicting grievous harm on Le Blanc on April 16.

He is also wanted for discharging a loaded firearm on February 1 at two other individuals Tiffany and Jamele Hubbard, at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, the police said.

Wanted: Maverick De Abreu

Stabroek News understands that the police were able to identify the suspects after Le Blanc, through his attorney, provided a detailed statement recounting what transpired on the night he was injured.

In the statement, Le Blanc identified two suspects, one of whom investigators have since contacted and questioned. However, several efforts were made to contact De Abreu but these proved futile. As a result, the wanted bulletin was issued.

LeBlanc was in Guyana as a headlining performer at the club’s Easter Phenomenon party and had just wrapped up his performance when he was attacked with a glass bottle.

The attack saw him being rushed to the Woodlands Hospital, where he subsequently received 25 stitches to the face.

Days after, it was revealed that the Trinidadian soca singer would be pursuing legal action. His lawyer, Gideon Mc Master, had also released the letter that he had written to the Commissioner of Police here, naming the two suspects who participated in the attack and enquiring whether the matter was being probed.

Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc

Mc Master had said that on the morning of April 16th, after completing a performance at Palm Court, his client was assaulted by two persons. He said one suspect “threateningly pointed” a firearm towards Le Blanc and a group of persons he was standing with. Mc Master said that this caused Le Blanc to “apprehend the fear of being shot.”

Mc Master said that the other suspect hurled a glass object which struck Le Blanc on his face with force, causing severe injuries.

The lawyer had further said that Le Blanc was rushed to the accident and emergency unit of Woodlands Hospital.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of DeAbreu is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-1389, 227-2128, 226-7065, 225-2227, 225-0575, 911, or the nearest police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence, police said.