Man, stepfather arrested for series of robberies, rape in Gampaha

• the two men, one 21 years of age and the  other 47 years, were responsible for 14 crimes including rape

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.