Greene announces compensation for collateral damage to windows
– says Police not in possession of photo of wanted man ‘Cobra’
COMMISSIONER Henry Greene said yesterday that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a wanted bulletin for Tyrone Rowe alias ‘Cobra’ without a photograph because none was in its possession.
But the Police know, through informants, who they are looking for, Greene told reporters.
He said the fugitive was seen on Sunday and Police went to the area where they were shot at by 17-year-old Osafi Johnson, who was running with Rowe.
Greene said the Police returned fire, injured Johnson and recovered an unlicensed gun and ammunition.
The Commissioner admitted he is not sure how large is the ‘Cobra’ gang but said the number is developing.
Greene noted, with concern, that the same gang members have been firing their weapons at nights in the same area and no one saw it fit to report that to the Police but, since the shootout, people are complaining.
He said he has instructed the Divisional Commander to compensate a resident for her shattered windows, as a way of showing compassion but does not take responsibility for what happened as the Police were shot at first.
Greene said the shooting with the ‘Cobra’ gang was not deliberate, observing that the Police were engaged in an exchange of gunfire and Dexter Bentick, who was grazed by a bullet, was simply caught in the crossfire.
The GPF, on Tuesday night, said Rowe is being sought for questioning in relation to murder and a series of robberies.
The bulletin said he is 19-years-old, of medium build, dark in complexion and last lived at Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown.
The Police said anyone with information that may lead to his arrest is asked to telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-7065, 226-1326, 225-6941, 911 or contact the nearest station and, with the assurance of strict confidentiality.
Meanwhile, up to press time, Johnson remained a patient at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) nursing a gunshot wound in the back. His condition is listed as stable but critical, following the shooting incident involving Police on Sunday.
Two others, Bentick and Chad Ronald, 23, were arrested on Sunday after they, allegedly, shot and injured Johnson, are still in Police custody pending investigations.
Police, in a press release, had said, on Sunday, ranks of an anti-crime patrol, acting on information received, confronted wanted man ‘Cobra’ and a group of five other men who were on the roadway at East Ruimveldt Front Road, also in the city.
The release said, on seeing the ranks, ‘Cobra’ and two of the men started running and one opened fire on the Police, who fired back, at which time Johnson, of East Ruimveldt Front Road, was shot and injured to his upper left shoulder and left foot.
A 9mm ‘Beretta’ pistol with three matching rounds were found in his possession and he is a patient under guard at the GPH.
Two others of the group were apprehended but ‘Cobra’ and two more managed to escape while Bentick 32, of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, suffered a wound when a bullet grazed him.