As investigations intensify into the murder of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara money changer Aaron Latchman and his 18-year-old daughter, Arianna Lathcman, the police are expected to send the file for legal advice this morning.
Dead: Arianna Lathcman and Aaron Latchman
A source close to investigations told Guyana Times that the file has been completed and once legal advice is sought, five suspects will be taken to court. These include “Rasta Man” of East La Penitence; “Marco” of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); “Red Man” of Sophia; “Julian” of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and the man who allegedly provided the weapon to them to commit the robbery.
The senior officer also refuted any report that suggested that the men were paid by a friend of the now dead businessman to execute him. He noted that the police have no such information and that it was all false reports that had surfaced.
The police would have arrested four of the five suspects on Thursday last. The first to be arrested was “Rasta Man”. He was reportedly arrested at Front Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, after Police swooped down on a house there. After his arrest, he took the police to Dennis Street, Sophia and Parika, where the others were arrested.
Additionally, a motorcar used by the bandits that belonged to the dead businessman was found at Front Road, La Penitence. During a search of the vehicle, an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.
As the detectives worked with several leads, a Mocha Arcadia resident was arrested after his name was called by the four men. He was the one who reportedly provided them with the weapons that they used to murder the money changer and his daughter.
He was nabbed in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and was described by two of the three men detained for the murders as “second in charge”.
The alleged shooters told detectives that on the day in question, their second “boss” was at the scene in a car. Further, the men allegedly told Police that after the shooting, they were taken to a house in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, where they split the money paid for the hit.
The detectives, Guyana Times understands, went to the house in Sophia and interrogated the owner, who admitted that his friend (“second boss”) brought a group of men to his house where they were seen counting money. He was reportedly given $10,000 before the men left.
It is believed that the “second boss” might be behind the killings of the America Street money changers who were all gunned down during robberies.
The alleged mastermind is no stranger to the police and the courts. He was charged for gun and ammunition possession. In addition, he is on trial for several armed robberies committed in 2018.
On June 4, the now dead businessman had dropped off his younger daughter at her lessons and upon his return at home, he was confronted by the two gunmen.
He was held at gunpoint and escorted to the upper flat of his home with his 18-year-old daughter.
Reports are that the teen was attacked and shot to her chest when the bandits entered the house through the back door and began demanding cash.
They then escorted Latchman into the yard where they shot him multiple times before escaping with a bag of cash.
However, a source said that the elder Latchman fought with the bandits and managed to disarm one of them before he was shot.
The bandits quickly made good their escape in a white Toyota Carina 212 motor car, leaving a trail of money behind.
The man and his daughter were picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. They were laid to rest on Wednesday last.
