19 October 2024 12:00 am Views - 46
BY Tilakaratne Disanayake
A young man and his stepfather, wanted in connection with a series of robberies and rape of several women had been arrested by Malwathu hiripitiya Police in the Gampaha Police Division.
Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said the investigations revealed that the two men, one 21 years of age and the other 47 years, were responsible for 14 crimes including rape, murder and robberies in several areas in Gampaha Police Division.
He told the media that it was with great difficulty that Malwathu hiripitiya Police had arrested the two suspects. He said the suspects had in their possession sharp weapons, a hand grenade, tools to break open doors and windows in houses, and intoxicants including Methamphetamine (ICE) at the time of arrest. The DIG said a stock of stolen goods including jewellery had been recovered during investigations. He pointed out that the suspects were responsible for the rape and murder of a 74-year-old woman in Kiriella area as well.
The DIG said the two men were detained on a court order for further questioning.
A police team under OIC Crime Investigation Branch SI Ananda had conducted investigations on the instructions of OIC Malwathu hiripitiya Police CI Gemunu Gunaratne, OIC Weliweriya Police CI Sumith Gunawardene, ASP Upali Kariyawasam, SSP Jagath Rohana and DIG Western Province (North) Rohan Premaratne.