Central Bureau
One of the men believed to have murdered Biche gardener Devanand Bholai in front of his wife on March 16 was yesterday killed in a shootout with Central Division police. A police officer was also shot in his chest during the shootout, but sustained no major injuries because he had on his bulletproof vest. Antonio Swan, who was wanted in connection with Bholai’s murder, was shot dead by police near Concerned Citizens Street, California.
On the night of March 16, three men entered the family’s house in Cushe Village, Biche, by smashing a window and breaking down a back door while Bholai and his wife were asleep. They tied up the couple and gagged them while they stole a laptop computer, television, jewelry and cash. They demanded more money and when Bholai refused to hand it over, he was shot in the head while his wife, Khemragee Leela Jaikaran, looked on.
Police said they eventually made off with $30,000 in cash in a waiting vehicle. At about 4.30 pm yesterday, a party of officers from the Major Crime Unit, Chaguanas Tactical Unit and the Couva CID received information that the men wanted for Bholai’s murder was seen in California. When officers arrived at the scene they were confronted by two men who ran into the bushes firing at them. The officers returned fire and Swan was shot. He was taken to the Couva District Health Facility where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The officer who was shot was also taken to the hospital where he received attention. Head of the Central Division Senior Supt Johnny Abraham and a party of officers, including Sgt Andy Mohammed, head of the Couva CID, and Sgt Linus Benjamin, head of the Major Crime Unit, visited the scene.