Months after the alleged stabbing death of 31-year-old Colene Toney, the prime suspect, Nicholas Johnson, known as ‘Suga’, has surrendered to the police with his attorney.
On Tuesday, at approximately 11:10 a.m., attorney-at-law, Chandra Sohan, escorted the 25-year-old suspect, a labourer, of Lot 90, No. 51 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, to the Criminal Investigation Department at Springlands Police Station.

There, Johnson was handed over to Detective Corporal George and was immediately arrested in connection with the murder. He remains in police custody as investigators move to lay formal charges.

The fatal incident occurred on the night of February 20, 2024, at No. 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.
According to reports, Toney and Johnson were involved in an argument over a mobile phone around 11:00p.m. Witness Patrina Jandoo, called ‘Bucky’, a 31-year-old security guard from the same village, told police she saw the two men arguing about money owed for the phone.

After the heated exchange, Toney left for his home, but Johnson allegedly followed him on his motorcycle.
Minutes later, Johnson reportedly returned, and the confrontation escalated again on the street corner. Jandoo said visibility was poor at the time, but she saw Toney backing away before he collapsed. Moments after, Johnson sped off on his motorcycle.

Another resident, Delroy Watts, 37, told investigators that he was at home when he heard Jandoo shouting, “Aunty Clair, Colene get bore!” Watts rushed to the scene in his car and found Toney conscious but bleeding heavily from stab wounds to his upper chest and right bicep.

Watts transported Toney to the Skeldon Public Hospital. Along the way, Toney reportedly said, “Look wa Suga bore me bai.” He repeated the same statement at the hospital in the presence of medical staff. Despite efforts to save him, Toney succumbed to his injuries about 1:20 a.m. on February 21.
In the immediate aftermath, police searched for Johnson at his home and his brother’s residence in No. 51 Village but came up empty-handed. Investigators canvassed the scene for CCTV footage but found none.

Crime Scene Technicians processed and documented the area while officers interviewed several witnesses, gathering critical information that kept the case active.
Johnson’s surrender brings a significant development to a case that has haunted the quiet Corentyne village for months. Police have indicated that follow-up investigations are underway and that Johnson will face charges in connection with Toney’s death.

Residents of No. 53 Village say they hope the arrest brings some measure of closure to Toney’s family and a step closer to justice.