POLICE in Berbice are continuing their investigations into the murder of Delon Collins, 21, a fireman attached to New Amsterdam Fire Service who was shot and killed during a robbery at Alness Village, Corentyne on Christmas Eve. It happened shortly after 23:00 hrs Saturday night when Collins was in company with his lover, Nadeeen Crawford, a probation officer, who had her three young children with her and they all had just returned home, in motor car PMM 6332, from Christmas shopping at Rose Hall town.
As they approached the main gate of the premises, the children, Janel, Joshua and Janella, exited the vehicle to open the gate when they were approached by an identifiable male of East Indian origin.
Crawford, alerted by the raised voices of her children, also hurried out of the car to investigate when the robber choked and relieved her of gold rings, a chain and a pair of gold bangles. Then he took her into the garage where she was forced to lie on the ground by the bandit demanding more booty.
Fearful for her life, Crawford instructed her nine-year-old daughter, Janella, to go into her bedroom, take out $17,000 that was in her purse and give it to the gunman.
Meanwhile, Collins was unaware of the robbery taking place until he disembarked the vehicle and was confronted by the bandit who discharged a round in his direction, fatally wounding him.
The shooter fled into Alness backlands while the injured Collins was taken to Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Several persons gathered at his parents’ Lot 84 Vryman’s Erven, Greater New Amsterdam home to express their sympathy to his grieving relatives.
However, a relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they believe the young man’s killing was the result of a set-up.