Cat’s Paw’ loses hand after breaking into house
May 22, 2014, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source
Residents of Bartica are breathing a little sigh of relief following the severe wounding of a man who is suspected to be a notorious criminal caught during a house invasion early yesterday morning.
The badly wounded Richard Atkinson called ‘Cat’s Paw’.
The man, Richard Atkinson, called ‘Cat’s Paw’ is currently nursing chops about his body at the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was rushed hours after he had invaded the home of the La Cruz family at Byderabo, Essequibo River.
One of the occupants of the home, 22 year old Roy La Cruz, is now in police custody although he sustained injuries as a result of Atkinson’s attack.
Atkinson was described as a menace who has been fingered in several robberies and murder committed on at least two Brazilian miners. Bartica residents have also linked him to the 2008 murder of Parika Gas Station owner, Brandis Roberts.
Kaieteur News understands that early yesterday morning La Cruz got up to investigate strange noises in his house.
Upon seeing La Cruz, Atkinson, who had already broken into the house, attacked him and dealt him a chop to his head.
According to an aunt of La Cruz who did not wish to be named, the wounded young man became dizzy and begged the attacker not to kill him.
It was around this time that La Cruz’s brother heard the commotion and went to investigate.
When he saw Atkinson about to deliver another chop to his brother, the young man who was carrying a piece of wood crept up behind the assailant and lashed him in his head, rendering him semi-conscious.
He and his brother then grabbed the cutlass and dealt Atkinson several chops about his body. The police were alerted and they arrived and took the badly injured Atkinson to the hospital.
They also arrested the two brothers one of whom had to seek medical attention for the wound he received to his head.
The police actions have not gone down well with the La Cruz family who are convinced that the two brothers were the actual victims who were defending themselves and their property.
“My nephew was on his knees begging to save his life. Is a good thing he other brother come in and see,” an aunt of the La Cruz brothers told this newspaper.
The family is hoping that justice prevails and that the right person be dealt with.
“He (Atkinson) lucky we whole family didn’t catch he,” the aunt added.
Kaieteur News understands that although Atkinson was badly chopped and lost a lot of blood, he is expected to survive.
