THREE persons, including a 17-year-old boy, on Friday appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court charged in connection with the brutal murder of Chinese national and businessman, Chen Yongping, which occurred at Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice.
Appearing alongside the teen before Magistrate Michelle Mathias were 29-year-old Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje residents Peter Baker and Colwin Morris.
They were jointly charged with the capital offence of murder and were not required to plead.
It is alleged that on December 22, 2025, during the course or furtherance of a robbery at Lot 21 Cumberland Village, the trio murdered 61-year-old Chen Yongping.
All three were remanded to prison, and the matter was transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court for January 14, 2026. Baker and Morris were represented by Attorney-at-law Chandra Sohan.
Police investigations revealed that in the early hours of December 22, 2025, at about 03:00 hours, Chen Yongping and another Chinese national, 32-year-old Chen Dongrong both businessmen residing at the same address, left their home to conduct business at the Port Mourant Market, Corentyne.
Upon returning around 05:00 hours, the men were allegedly confronted by two identifiable males armed with knives, who robbed them of cash and mobile phones. Chen Yongping was reportedly robbed of an iPhone 12 Pro Max valued at $322,000 and an undetermined sum of cash, while Chen Dongrong lost $150,000 in cash and an iPhone 12 Pro Max valued at $342,000.
During the attack, both victims sustained multiple injuries, including stab wounds, and were rushed to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where Chen Yongping succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment. Chen Dongrong, who suffered a fractured skull, was admitted to hospital and was later discharged.
As investigations intensified, police arrested the three suspects on December 29, 2025. They were cautioned and interviewed, during which investigators reported that admissions were allegedly made.
A post-mortem examination was conducted on December 24, 2025, between 09:00 hours and 09:30 hours at Bailey’s Funeral Home by Government Pathologist Dr. V. Brijmohan. The body was identified by the deceased’s wife, Wu Xiao Fen, in the presence of police ranks. The cause of death was determined to be shock and haemorrhage due to three stab wounds.
Following the examination, the body was released to relatives for burial.
