Latest update May 7th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 07, 2014 News
New twist in murder of Grove tailor
Stolen bike left at scene, killer
took nothing from victim
It had seemed like a straightforward case of robbery, but the murder of 26-year-old tailor Bharrat Pitember has developed into a baffling case involving stolen bicycles, a caged bird and a killer who fled without stealing a thing from his victim.
It was at around 20.30 hrs last Tuesday that Pitember, of Grove, East Bank Demerara, was found dead, with a stab wound to the chest a short distance from a dismal, poorly lit shortcut that links the Diamond Housing Scheme to neighbouring Grove.
Residents have named the shortcut ‘The Aqueduct’, and it also a haven for drug users and youths who prey on passersby.
It appeared that Pitember was attacked, robbed and slain while riding home after leaving his tailoring establishment, located on the East Bank Demerara Public Road. Wounds on his hands suggested that the young man had put up a brave struggle.
Police retrieved a large ‘Rambo’ knife from the scene, as well as a bicycle.
Pitember had sold a caged bird earlier in the day for about $45,000 and initial reports suggested that the killer(s) had made off with this money, as well as the victim’s cell phone.
But police sources later confirmed that the $45,000 was still in the slain man’s pockets when investigators reached the scene. Police also retrieved the victim’s cell phone and a receipt from his pockets.
PLEADED FOR HELP
According to reports, at least two young boys were the first to arrive at the scene. Pitember, still alive, was reportedly lying on the roadway, pleading for help. Two bicycles and a bird cage were reportedly nearby.
One of the boys, it is alleged, picked up the newer bicycle and rode to a nearby area in Diamond Housing Scheme and summoned help. Meanwhile, someone else reportedly made off with the caged bird, which Pitember had reportedly also bought on the day of his murder. By the time police arrived, Pitember had succumbed.
Kaieteur News was told that the ‘shine bike’ at the scene belonged to the slain tailor, and the boy who had picked it up eventually handed the bike over to Pitamber’s family.
The ‘old bike’ that was found near the body was reportedly stolen late last month from an elderly man.
It is believed that the killer may have arrived at the scene on this bicycle and left it there after attacking Pitamber. Police still seem to believe that the killing began as a robbery attempt and that the robber fled empty-handed after the victim fought back.
On Saturday, police questioned two boys, aged 13 and 15, before releasing them. An 18-year-old and two other youths remained in custody yesterday.
Relatives said that Pitamber had narrowly escaped being robbed while riding through the shortcut a few days prior to the fatal attack. A relative said that they had subsequently warned him about traversing that area.
Pitamber and his spouse were married last December and have a six month-old daughter.
Meanwhile, residents of the neighbouring Grove and Diamond communities are appealing for more police patrols in the area.
Those who live near to ‘The Aqueduct’ also appealed for street lights to be erected in the area. Some spoke of sometimes having to rescue passersby from robbers. Another resident recalled coming home one night to find his back door open, while a neighbour said thieves had twice broken into his car.
The residents are also calling on the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to clear empty lots and other areas of bush that encourage the presence of criminals.
The Grove/Diamond Community Policing Group has been appealing for more members, since they said they have been experiencing difficulty in patrolling the two expanding communities.
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