Suspect in Da Silva St arson surrenders to police

The hunt for the man who reportedly torched two Newtown, Kitty homes after a bid to burn his wife, ended on Thursday, when he turned himself over to the police.

Commander of ‘A’ Division Marlon Chapman told Stabroek News that Kerwin Jervis, 44, turned himself in at the Brickdam Police Station last Thursday evening. He was subsequently taken into police custody to assist with investigations of the arson and the alleged attempt on the life of his wife.

Around 10pm last Tuesday, June McCalmon Jervis, the suspect’s wife, was forced to jump through a ground floor window to escape after he had allegedly doused her with gasoline in their Da Silva Street, Newtown, Kitty house.

The suspect gave chase but then turned and ran back into the building, which was subsequently set on fire. A neighbouring residence at Da Silva and De Abreu streets was also burnt as a result of the fire.

June was found in a bloody condition and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was treated before being discharged. June and her two children are safe.

A police source had revealed that investigations suggested that the suspect’s actions were premeditated. The gasoline had been kept in a Busta bottle and was sprinkled about the house.