Cops confident of arrest in Barrackpore murder

Homicide detectives are confident of an arrest in the murder of 62-year-old Atwaroo Toophanie, who was chopped to death at Barrackpore on Thursday. However, up to yesterday, the two suspects in the murder remained at large. Relatives said that Toophanie’s traumatised mother, 87-year-old  ean Toophanie, has fled her home fearing for her safety. She has sought refuge at a relative’s home after surviving a brutal beating at the hands of bandits who invaded her home.

An autopsy was conducted yesterday on Atwaroo’s body by forensic pathologist Dr Eastlyn Borris Mc Donald at the Forensic Science Centre in St James. The findings revealed that he died of massive blood loss and shock due to multiple chop wounds sustained to the head and neck.

The police investigation has been given a boost as South Western Division investigators have partnered with Southern Homicide detectives, as they believe the crime situation is getting out of control in their district. The funeral service for Toophanie takes place at 5 pm tomorrow at the Belgrove’s Funeral Home at Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Armed bandits broke into the Toophanie’s home at the corner of Rochard Road and Rochard Douglas Road, Barrackpore, around 1.30 am on Thursday, robbing them of $8,000 in cash and an undisclosed amount of jewelry. After refusing to reveal the combination to the family’s safe, the masked men proceeded to chop Toophanie about the head and neck. They then severely planassed his mother before escaping in a waiting car. Investigations are continuing.