Seven charged over gas station bombing

-following advice from DPP

Following the explosion at a gas station in the city on October 26 that claimed the life of a girl and injured others, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that seven persons be charged with terrorism and they are to appear in court today.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday stated that legal advice was obtained from DPP to institute charges against these persons following the comprehensive investigations into the explosion which occurred at the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King streets, Georgetown,

As a result of the evidence gathered, the following individuals will be charged: Wayne Correia, a 44-year-old Guyanese; Ramesh Pramdeo, a 51-year-old Guyanese; Krystal LaCruz, a 33-year-old Guyanese; Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, a 33-year-old Venezuelan; Jennifer Rodriguez, a 33-year-old Venezuelan; Johnny Boodram, a 27-year-old Venezuelan; and Alexander Bettancourt, a 44-year-old Venezuelan.

The seven persons are to appear at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court today at 9am to answer to the charge.

“The Guyana Police Force assures the public that the investigation was conducted with professionalism, integrity and strict adherence to due process. The Force remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting citizens and ensuring peace and public safety across the nation while expressing gratitude to the public and partner agencies for their continued cooperation and support in this matter,” the GPF statement said.

The persons were arrested and taken into police custody and after the 72-hour detention period had elapsed, the police applied to the High Court for an extension. The High Court subsequently granted permission for the nine persons to remain in custody to facilitate the investigation.

On Monday, President Irfaan Ali met with the families of the victims of the bombing at the Mobil gas Station.

He promised “swift justice” and confirmed that investigators have been interrogating the suspect, who has confessed, to determine his motives for the “horrific act”. He also updated the families on the findings to date. Ali asserted that the government would use “every available tool” to help the families and those injured to return to some form of normalcy.

The parents of six-year-old Soraya Bourne who died in the explosion were also assured that the Government would assist them in every possible way

The Regent and King streets area where the station is located remains an active crime scene.

President Irfaan Ali on Saturday vowed that the authorities would get to the bottom of the October 26 explosion.

Those injured in the incident were Jenica Hooper, a 27-year-old teacher (the driver); her 71-year-old mother, Yvonne Jonas; 12-year-old Seddia McIntosh; and her seven-year-old nephew, Reshard Lord, all of Breda Street, Werk-en-Rust.

According to the police, Peodomo has confessed to the crime, including that it involved a device triggered by a switch he activated before exiting a vehicle which was parked in the vicinity of the gas station.

Peodomo entered Guyana illegally, just hours before the blast. The Vene-zuelan entered Guyana via water along with another Venezuelan at about 8 am on October 26.  He is affiliated with a gang known as “R Syndicato” and was reportedly supported in the crime by Venezuelans and Guyanese. The prime suspect was positively identified by one of his accomplices. Police had apprehended Peodomo in an intelligence-led operation on October 28 at Vergenoegen Sideline Dan, East Bank Essequibo.

A few hours before he was arrested, police disclosed they had found the clothing he was wearing during the perpetration of the deadly crime at a location in Region Three.

Police had also revealed that they arrested three suspects on October 27 after intelligence and CCTV analysis led them to a silver motor car with the licence number PSS 7874.

Shattered

At about 7:15 pm on October 26, a loud explosion was heard. Approaching the scene, this newspaper saw broken glass on Charlotte, King and Regent streets. Several signs from nearby stores were shattered. The Guyana Fire Service subsequently arrived at the scene and then the Guyana Police Force. The Guyana Fire Service then saturated the area with foam since the gas  was deemed highly flammable. The scene was then cordoned off.

A car was completely scorched and another damaged. Gas bottles were scattered in the area. The roof of the gas station was shattered and holes could be seen at different sections.

Pump attendants seemed traumatized as rescue personnel worked to ensure that the injured were evacuated.

The following day, damage was observed to the Mobil minimart, storage bond, and four fuel pumps, as well as to several nearby buildings – including the KFC outlet, adjoining commercial establishments and portions of the High Court – consistent with shockwave impact from the blast.

An eyewitness, Andrew McRae, told Stabroek News that he had just dropped off a passenger when a car pulled up beside his vehicle. The driver was a woman and he said he directed her on where to park and then sat down, his vehicle facing south.

McRae said he then noticed steam emanating from the direction of the woman’s vehicle but could not confirm the source. The woman had exited the vehicle and was walking toward the nearby KFC. McRae said he assured her that her car was safe and would not be disturbed. As she neared the restaurant, he said, he saw thick, black smoke quickly rising and it saturated the area. 

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion, McRae said, which lifted him into his car’s roof and slammed him down. Despite the impact, he said, he quickly got out of his car and rushed toward the woman’s vehicle.

“… I run to the car that was damaged more than me, and I start take everybody out of the car and bring them to the front. And then the gas station exploded and I see a larger fire. I took two fire extinguisher and run in the fire and out it,” he said.

McRae was later rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital after complaining of bodily pain.

At the Georgetown Public Hospital, relatives of the injured were in the compound. The father of the child, minutes after arriving at the hospital, was told she had passed away. He sorrowfully explained that his daughter would request KFC every Saturday and he would give her the money to purchase it. He added that his daughter requested the chicken on  the fateful day and he gave her the money without knowing that would be his last encounter with his her.