Mobil Service Station Bombing: Suspects scoped out target before launching deadly attack – Crime Chief

– confirms $5M reward played crucial role in apprehension of suspect

…Sol Guyana Inc launches internal review with operator

As investigations continue into the deadly bombing of the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown, on Sunday, new evidence revealed that one of the accomplices was sent to the location prior to the attack to survey the area.
This was according to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum during a brief telephone interview with the Guyana Times on Wednesday.

He explained that the suspects arrived in a motorcar that was parked in the vicinity of the ACME building. “Whilst there, one man exited the vehicle, walked over to the Mobil Service Station, walked around, then went into a KFC outlet, purchased chicken, and went back to the car.”
He further stated that after some time, the prime suspect exited the motor car with a black bag and walked toward the service station. “And we all know what happened after that since it was all captured on camera.”
CCTV footage in the area captured the suspect attempting to dispose of two black garbage bags in a bin.
Nevertheless, he was prevented from doing so by an attendant; instead, he walked toward the western side of the fuel station, soon after which a loud explosion was heard coming from the section where bottled cooking gas was stored.

Informant led to arrest of prime suspect
The Crime Chief also stated that the arrest of the prime suspect, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, at Vergenoegen, Sideline Dam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was made possible by information detectives received from an informant.
He noted that the informant will receive the $5 million reward that was offered by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for information on the whereabouts of the suspect.
Blanhum, nevertheless, commended the informant for being brave and responsible enough to provide that crucial information, thus resulting in a major breakthrough for the Police in the matter. The nine suspects, including the prime suspect, remain in custody as investigations continue.

Following the apprehension of the suspect on Tuesday evening, Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken stated that the detectives, along with the Safe City Command Centre and allied intelligence agencies, utilised video forensic analysis, digital tracking, and data correlation to trace the suspect’s movements before and after the incident.

Technology and intelligence-led policing
“Acting on credible information and through inter-agency coordination and field intelligence, investigators were able to locate the suspect at Vergenoegen Sideline Dam, East Bank Essequibo, where he was captured earlier today, Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in a coordinated operation led by a Superintendent,” he noted.
This success underscores the integration of modern policing technology with traditional investigative work, demonstrating the Force’s growing capacity in counter-terrorism and digital intelligence operations.
He also commended the work of the investigators, intelligence analysts, and all ranks involved in the swift apprehension of the suspect.
“This incident demonstrates the Force’s capability, discipline, and professionalism, supported by the effective use of technology and intelligence-led policing,” he added while noting that “the Force remains resolute and relentless in its duty to protect the public, ensuring that any act of terror or violence is met with decisive and lawful action.”

Venezuela gang affiliation
It was reported that hours after the clothes suspected to have been worn by the suspect were found at a location in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the GPF announced a reward of $5 million for any information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect wanted for the crime.
Mere hours later, Peodomo, the prime suspect, was nabbed. It has since been confirmed that Peodomo and his accomplice, both Venezuelans, arrived in Guyana illegally by boat hours before the terror attack. More worrying is that the explosive was transported from Venezuela by the suspect.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Wendell Blanhum on Tuesday evening stated, “What I can say is the suspect is cooperating with the investigators, and we have already secured a confession statement from him… Among other things that he mentioned to us is that the device he brought in is from Venezuela. He also indicated that the device had a switch that he activated when he exited the vehicle, which was parked within the vicinity of the gas station.”
It was also confirmed that the prime suspect is affiliated with a criminal gang in his home country, which goes by the name “R”, linked to the Sindicato gang.
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, who was present at the press briefing, stated that the penalty for terrorism under sections of Guyana’s law is death, and as such, the Guyana Police Force will be pursuing that in the courts. “We are making a case for the death penalty.”
She added, “A young, innocent child is murdered… had this man been able to put that device in that bin, more lives would have been lost… one life, a Guyanese life, is still too much, and I am absolutely sure that our Commander in Chief and the president will sign off on a death penalty,” the Minister added.

Sol Guyana
Meanwhile, Sol Guyana Inc (Sol), the authorised distributor of Mobil fuels in Guyana, on Wednesday stated that it remains fully committed to cooperating with the authorities while launching its own internal review in collaboration with the operator of the facility.
The company stated that the authorities are on-site conducting a thorough investigation into the motive of the bombing, which is being treated as a criminal matter.
“Sol Guyana recognises the public concern surrounding this devastating incident and reaffirms that the safety and well-being of our team, customers, and community remain our top priority,” the release added.
The company extended its sincere condolences to the family of Soraya Bourne while adding that their heartfelt thoughts remain with all those injured or affected.
Sol Guyana says it is committed to sharing verified updates as they become available and urged the public to follow official safety guidance and avoid the affected area while investigations are ongoing, the company stated.
The blast on Sunday evening left six-year-old Soraya Bourne dead and four others hospitalised, including two minors and two adults. The two children were admitted to the paediatric ward suffering from significant injuries, while the two adult females are being treated for soft tissue injuries to the face, head, neck and thigh, with one suffering a fracture to the leg.
They remain patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and their conditions are being monitored.