‘Demon’ arrested, charged for assault of Police Constable

Hours after his accomplice was remanded, the second suspect who is accused of beating Police Constable 25448 Harlequin near Movietowne at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown was on Monday apprehended and charged in relation to the incident.

Mark Cromwell called “Demon” and “Diamond”, a 41-year-old businessman of Lot 40 Vigilance, East Coast Demerara appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool.

He was charged with assaulting Police Constable Harlequin, using abusive language and disorderly behaviour.

Cromwell denied the charges and was remanded to prison.

The matter was adjourned to May 17 for statements.

Reports are that Cromwell was arrested on Monday at the Eugene F. Correira International Airport as he was about to board a flight.

His apprehension came hours after his accomplice, Kessee Edwards, faced a total of ten charges and was remanded to prison.

Edwards, 30 of Lot 62 Friendship, East Coast Demerara was also charged with  assaulting Constable Harlequin, use of abusive language and disorderly behaviour

The other seven charges were traffic related. Edwards is accused of dangerous driving, leaving motor vehicle in a dangerous position, driving an unlicensed and uncertified motor vehicle, failing to comply with police direction, driving a tinted motor vehicle and failure to wear seat belt.

Police Headquarters had reported that Police Constable Harlequin and another rank were carrying out traffic enforcement duties at about 16:45 hrs at the Plaisance Railway Embankment, ECD.

There, they intercepted a heavily tinted vehicle, PAD 3136, driven by Edwards.

Constable Harlequin reportedly told Edwards to go to the Sparendaam Police Station for a vehicular inspection but he refused and drove off, during which the front wheel of his vehicle went over the Constable’s foot.

As such, the cop entered a Police Force vehicle, PWW 576 and chased after Edwards.

The man was subsequently intercepted at the Turkeyen access road, in the vicinity of MovieTowne.

Edwards then reportedly exited his vehicle, approached Constable Harlequin, and told him that someone called “Demon” was on the phone and allegedly hurled several expletives at the Officer. Constable Harlequin then called 911 for assistance.

Soon after, a grey Toyota Allion drove by and the driver approached Constable Harlequin. He too allegedly hurled expletives at the Policeman.

It was then noted that Constable Harlequin told Edwards of the multiple offences he had committed, cautioned him, and later told him that he was under arrest.

Edwards, however, started to behave in a disorderly manner and bit Constable Harlequin on his left ear, the Policed noted.

It is alleged that Edwards and the other man started attacking Constable Harlequin and hit him about his body.

Public-spirited citizens eventually gathered at the scene and one man confronted the assailants. That man is believed to be former cop Eustace Abrams called Robocop.

Edwards was arrested and taken into custody.

The altercation sparked outrage from the Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken.

In statement issued, Police Headquarters said the Guyana Police Force will not tolerate any unprovoked attack on its officers.

The Top Cop urged the general public to continue providing aiding officers in their goal of maintaining law and order.