PARAMARIBO — Shots were fired at two locations – at the International Mall of Suriname (IMS) on Ringweg-Zuid and an apartment on Satijnvlinderweg – on Wednesday night when the Capital Crimes department rounded up six members of a gang. They all deny having committed a criminal offense. One suspect managed to escape.
The six men arrested include Patrick Ruben Stewart, who fled the sanatorium on September 23. The detainee was in the special facility being treated for tuberculosis when he managed to escape. The same day, Hotline Information Anonymous launched an investigation report.
The rounding up of the gang started when Capital Delicten spotted a gray Isuzu D-Max in Paramaribo-Centre on Wednesday. The pick-up met the characteristics of the vehicle that was used during a theft on Dordongenstraat in Santo Boma during the night of September 12 to 13.
The Isuzu D-Max was followed and got stuck near IMS. When arresting 39-year-old entrepreneur TS, who was driving the pick-up, the police were forced to fire a warning shot, as the suspect attempted to run away when he saw the officers.
Wild West
The arrest of TS resulted in a chain reaction, because during an investigation later in the night, Capital Crimes, with the cooperation of the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the Regional Assistance Team, managed to arrest six more suspects in the middle of an apartment on Satijnvlinderweg, namely: DD (32), VA (35), GD (35), FP (36), MD (36) and Stewart (38).
The Suriname Police Corps (KPS) writes on its website that when approaching the apartment, which is referred to as ‘safe house’ was used, the law enforcement officers had to use firearms, as FA and FP saw the opportunity to jump over the fence and flee into the bush.
FP was able to be handcuffed by the police. FA managed to escape law enforcement. It is indicated that this suspect shot in the direction of some local residents while fleeing. No one was injured. The investigation into FA is underway.
When searching the apartment, which is managed by VA, the officers found several stolen items, including suitcases and clothing. There were also telephones, drugs, gloves, tools and/or breaking equipment in the safe house. These, as well as three vehicles – a gray, dark gray and white Vitz – were seized.
‘Fiber gang’
The gang that was rounded up on Wednesday night is associated with several thefts of fiber optic fiber from Telesur, the KPS reports. It is announced that a mixed team consisting of personnel from Capital Offenses, CIU, Central Region Detectives and the National Security Directorate has been constantly investigating these thefts for a month and a half.
We have previously succeeded in arresting several other gangs. It is indicated that suspects cut the fiber optic in the immediate area before a theft, causing areas to become deprived of internet. This results in security cameras and alarm systems in homes and/or business premises failing.
The police promise to take tough action against the gangs involved in this. The community is urged to be alert if they see suspicious movements around the fiber or EBS masts on which these cables are installed during the night or early morning.
