Devendra Churaman called “Katak”, the Berbice cambio dealer, who was robbed by a gang of 15 men, has positively identified a suspect.

According to Commander of ‘B’ Division, Errol Watts, an identification parade was held Wednesday, where the businessman pointed out the suspect. This newspaper was reliably informed that during the ordeal, the mask of one of the bandits came off, revealing his identity briefly. Some $20 Million in cash, as well as over S1M in jewelry were stolen during the attack on Monday last.

“From the beginning of the investigation, he mentioned that one of the bandits mask fall off for some time,” Commander Watts said.

The suspect reportedly hails from the community of Sand Hill, Berbice River. Eleven persons, including a female suspect and an ex-police officer are among those detained. Those in custody reportedly hail from the New Amsterdam/Canje area, while the others were picked up from different locations in Berbice.

At around 01:45hrs on Monday last gunshots rang out in Cambio Dealer’s Lot 93 Albert Street, Kingston, Corriverton residence as 15 men armed with AK47 assault rifles, shot guns and cutlasses broke down a steel door to gain access into his home.

According to Churaman, five of the men entered his home while the others kept guard at the side of his house, on the street and on the fence while discharging several rounds in the air, and setting alight fire crackers. After gaining entrance into the home, the bandits used a sledge hammer to break a steel door, gaining access to the businessman’s bedroom.

There, they held him at gunpoint and forced him to lie on the floor while the other bandits demanded cash and jewelry. According to the 48-year-old cambio dealer, he told the bandits he did not have money and one of the bandits rushed up to him, threatening him with a cutlass. And at this point, he handed over some money. The bandits ransacked the home and took away jewelry worth over $1M and over $20 million in US and Guyana currency. The bandits also took away the surveillance footage from the home before making good their escape.

Crime scene investigators were able to recover eight spent shells (7.62 * 39), two spent shell gauge cartridges, one warhead, 21 live (7.62* 39) rounds and fire crackers at the scene of the robbery.