The Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI) Cold Case Unit has solved an 11-year-old murder, with the appearance of a 34-year-old man before a Port of Spain Magistrate yesterday, charged with the murder of Muchiri Polo.
Stefan Lewis, aka ‘Stephon’, a labourer and PH driver of Chaguanas, was also charged with possession of firearm and possession of ammunition, when he appeared before Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor, in the Port of Spain Fifth Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday 23rd November, 2023.
The matter was adjourned to January 24th, 2024 and transferred to the Port of Spain Eight Court.
Polo, aka ‘Much’, 23, of Belmont, was in the district on April 10th, 2012, when he was fatally shot by a gun man.
The matter was investigated by HBI Region One officers, who exhausted all avenues available to them at that time.
The matter was later referred to the HBI Cold Case Unit for assessment. The file was reviewed by the Cold Case Specialist who generated an extensive report with recommendations and a clinical approach was taken to bring closure to the matter.
Investigators of the Unit conducted painstaking enquiries and on Saturday 18th November, 2023, one male suspect was arrested by officers of the HBI into the matter.
The investigation was spearheaded by Snr. Supt. Rishi Singh, Supt. Douglas and W/ASP Bridglal, and supervised by Sgt. Nanhoo, all of HBI, with the assistance of the Cold Case Unit, inclusive of Cpl Mitchell, WPC Pamphile and PC Mc David.
Lewis was charged by Cpl Maharaj, of the Cold Case Unit on Wednesday 22nd November, 2023, following advice received from Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, SC, on that same date.