‘Cops close in’: High Court extends hold on gas station bombing suspects – Crime Chief

Oct 31, 2025 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has secured a High Court order to further detain eight of the nine suspects currently in custody as investigators intensify their probe into Sunday’s deadly explosion at the Regent Street Service Station in Georgetown.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed on Thursday that detectives made an application to the High Court to extend the detention period for eight suspects linked to the horrific blast, which claimed the life of 6-year-old Soraya Bourne and left several others injured.

“The application was made to the High Court and granted by the Honourable Chief Justice,” Navindra Singh, Blanhum told Kaieteur News.

The decision allows investigators additional time to pursue critical leads and analyse evidence, including surveillance footage and forensic materials recovered from the scene. Sources close to the investigation said the detention time for the nine suspects has not expired. Police have already confirmed that the incident is being treated as a criminal act, and that the blast was deliberately set off.

Kaieteur News reported on Thursday that two Venezuelan nationals accused of bombing the gas station on Sunday allegedly used a KFC food run as cover to scout the site before carrying out the deadly attack. According to a senior police officer, investigation so far revealed that sometime between 11 a.m. and 12 noon on Sunday, the prime suspect, identified as Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, and his Venezuelan accomplice travelled to Georgetown in a motor car along with a female accomplice and a hired taxi driver. “They parked the car in the vicinity of the gas station. The female accomplice then exited the vehicle and went to the KFC outlet at the said location, where she purchased food for the two Venezuelans,” the senior officer disclosed. “It was during that time that the Venezuelans took the opportunity to conduct surveillance of the fuel station before executing their act to bomb the station,” the officer added. After completing their reconnaissance, the suspects reportedly returned to Region Three, the officer said.

Police investigations have also confirmed that the suspects entered Guyana illegally through a backtrack route in the Pomeroon River, before being dropped off at Parika, East Bank Essequibo. From there, they made their way to Georgetown, where the deadly attack was later carried out. As of press time, the Guyana Police Force was holding around nine suspects, including Peodomo, who was caught on surveillance camera setting the device that triggered the explosion at the Regent Street Service Station.

Blanhum had told reporters at a press conference held at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday that Peodomo and his accomplice have some affiliation with a “gang in Venezuela known as ‘R’” which is linked to the Sindicato gang. The Sindicato gang has been linked to several violent cross-border crimes. The Crime Chief said investigators learned that the explosive device was activated moments after the main suspect exited a car and walked into the Mobil Gas Station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown. The powerful blast killed Bourne and injured four others, including children and adults. Investigators are now working to determine the motive behind the attack and whether it was linked to organised transnational criminal activity.

Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) showed the suspect, clad in a blue jersey, what appeared to be black trousers and a khaki hat, entering the gas station and first attempting to place a bulky black bag in a bin located at a pump station. An attendant, who was seated there, forbade him from placing the bag in the bin. The man then ventured to the area of the fuel station where it is reported that cooking gas was stored. Shortly after, the car in which little Soraya Bourne and her family traveled in was seen slowly reversing before the bomb exploded causing the girl and her relatives to be pitched into the air.

Further, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said it has been pursuing all leads through collaboration with its local, regional and international counterparts, including INTERPOL. A Special Investigative Task Force was established comprising members of the Major Crimes Investigation Unit, Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters, Regional Divisions 3, 4A, and 4B and other key stakeholders, supported by intelligence and forensic experts. The investigation was also coordinated with continuous oversight by the Commissioner of Police and senior officers.

Assault on peace and security

Meanwhile, in a statement on Thursday the Private Sector Commission (PSC) congratulated the joint services for their “exceptional professionalism, vigilance, and dedication in swiftly bringing to justice those responsible for the recent terrorist attack at the gas station in Georgetown.” “The PSC strongly condemns this cowardly act of violence, which resulted in the tragic loss of a young life and injuries to innocent citizens. This attack, reportedly orchestrated by a foreign national with local collaborators, represents a grave assault on the peace and security that all Guyanese hold dear,” the business umbrella body said.

The Commission also commended what it described as the outstanding work of the Guyana Police Force and all supporting national security agencies and recognises that their timely intelligence, coordination, and operational excellence resulted in the apprehension of the perpetrator and prevented the probability of further intended sabotage. “The Private Sector anticipates and looks forward to the Minister of Home Affairs keeping the nation further and fully informed as investigations continue into this threat to our country’s security, safety and stability emanating from Venezuela and urges all of our citizens to remain fully alert to this threat and to take the necessary precautions within their control to guard against it. We reaffirm our commitment as the private sector to continue supporting national security, stability, and unity. Guyana’s progress depends on our collective resilience against acts of terror, violence, and division. The Commission offers our deepest condolences to the family of the young victim and to all who were affected by this senseless tragedy. The PSC remains confident that together, as one people, we will overcome these challenges and continue building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Guyana,” the statement concluded.

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• bombing suspects, Daniel Alexander Ramirez Peodomo, gas station, Guyana Police Force, Wendell Blanhum

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