2 men, teen remanded over murder of East Canje businessman

Two men were on Thursday remanded to prison, while a 17-year-old was sent to the Juvenile Holding Centre, after they were jointly charged with the murder of a Chinese businessman during the course of a robbery in East Canje, Berbice.
The accused are Pieter Baker, a 29-year-old pump operator of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, and Clowin Morris, called “Screech”, a 29-year-old labourer of New Street, Cumberland Village, East Canje. The third accused is a 17-year-old labourer from Burn Bush Dam, East Canje. The trio appeared on January 2, 2026, before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the New Amsterdam Magistrates’ Court, where they were charged with murder in the furtherance of a robbery.
It is alleged that on December 22, 2025, at Cumberland Village, East Canje, the accused murdered Chen Yongping, a 61-year-old Chinese national and businessman.

The charge was read to the defendants, and they were not required to plead.
Baker and Morris were remanded to prison, while the teenager was remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre. The matter was adjourned to January 14, 2026.
The two adults are being represented by attorney-at-law Chandra Sohan.
As previously reported, a post-mortem examination was conducted on December 24, 2025, at Bailey’s Funeral Home by Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan. The examination determined that Chen Yongping died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds.
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 22, 2025, at a business premises in Cumberland Village, East Canje, shortly after the victims returned from Port Mourant Market. Earlier reports indicated that Chen Yongping and his son, Chen Dongrong, were confronted by armed assailants, during which both men sustained stab wounds and were relieved of cellular phones and cash. The victims were taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where Chen Yongping later succumbed to his injuries. His son was treated and later discharged.
It was also previously reported that, during the investigation, the three accused made admissions regarding their alleged involvement in the incident. Those reports stated that the teenager was said to have acted as a lookout, while the two adults accused allegedly entered the yard and carried out the robbery, during which fatal injuries were inflicted.
Earlier accounts further stated that the accused allegedly shared the proceeds of the robbery following the incident and that items believed to have been taken during the attack were later disposed of. It was reported that the 17-year-old told investigators he was contacted by the two adults accused and asked to take part in the planned robbery.
Investigators further reported that the suspects allegedly escaped with cellular phones and cash following the attack.
Police also reported that both accused adults later also admitted involvement during questioning.
The matter will return to court on January 14.