Multi-million-dollar gold heist: Police yet to arrest wanted trio

– all leads are being pursued, says Crime Chief

More than one week after wanted bulletins were issued for Antonio Maraj, also called “Pluckin” or “Thuggy”; Jamal Hazel, and Dequan King, also called “Titus” or “Quanie”, in connection with the multi-million-dollar gold heist committed on Wallison Enterprise of Gordon Street, Kitty, the Police are yet to make an arrest.
Thus far, 36-year-old Delroy “Bug” Jackson; Peon Lee, also known as “Nino Brown”, both security officers attached to the gold establishment; and 32-year-old Keyon King, a serving GDF Sergeant, have been arraigned for the robbery.
Contacted on Thursday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum related that the Police have not been successful in apprehending any of the wanted men. He noted that the detectives who are working on the case are working with every possible lead at their disposal, with the aim of bringing the three men to justice.
In fact, all the ports and Police stations have been placed on high alert for these three suspects. Blanhum is, however, optimistic that the Police would apprehend the men sooner, rather than later.
The trio who were arraigned for the crime have been slapped with four charges. The Police have said that on Thursday, August 5, 2021, while being armed with guns, and in the company of each other, they robbed Francis Santos Lumes of 60 ounces of raw gold, valued at $20 million, and $38 million in cash.
In addition, the Police have said the defendants robbed Fernanda Carmichael of a cellphone valued at $350,000, and Francis Santos Lumes has been robbed of a gold chain valued at $140,000, a gold ring valued at $60,000, and $14,000 in cash.
Moreover, the defendants have been accused of robbing William Da Silva of a cellphone valued at $60,000.
The three defendants have each pleaded not guilty to the charges, and have been remanded to prison. The case will continue on August 24.
It was reported that on the day in question, at about 10:00h, three armed men went to the Lot 23 Gordon Street business place and indicated that they had gold to sell. However, within minutes of entering the establishment, they held several staff members at gunpoint, and demanded that they open three safes wherein the money and gold were secured.
After committing the robbery, the armed men bound and gagged the cashier and two other staff members before locking them in a room. However, moments after the men had escaped in a white motor car, the cashier managed to free herself and raise an alarm.
The Police were called in, and immediately one of the two security guards was arrested. Based on intelligence and information received, the detectives went to a house at B Field Sophia, where they conducted a search and found some personal items belonging to the owner of the robbed business. There, another security guard was taken into custody.
Interrogated by the Police, one of the security guards confessed to being part of the plot to rob the establishment. Following leads, the detectives turned up at the home of the GDF Sergeant at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and a search was conducted in the house, but nothing substantial was found.
However, during a search in the yard, the detectives noticed a disturbed piece of land and decided to dig. They unearthed a bucket which, when checked, contained $15 million in $5000 notes, and an additional $3 million in $1000 notes.
Meanwhile, two Wednesdays ago, Police found the car that was used in the robbery, parked in front of the driver’s home at Lot 435 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. It was later revealed that the driver had left for the interior.
Neighbours have since told Police that, prior to leaving, the driver had taken home a canter loaded with household items, which were purchased the day after the robbery.
The three men wanted by the Police in connection with this robbery were previously charged with a spate of armed robberies dating back to 2017.