On Friday the Matura family on Arlington Drive complained to 7NEWS that police stormed into their home at 5 am and ransacked the place. Police said they were searching for a gun in connection with the Thursday evening murder of 15-year-old Jomo Lamb. But the police didn't find any gun and the Matura family cried foul. But undeterred, this morning officers from the Criminal Investigations Branch returned to Arlington Drive to do another search and they say they found what could be Jomo Lamb's murder weapon, and the gun used in two broad daylight robberies committed yesterday. Here's the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Police returned to the Matura family house at 6 this morning and CIB Chief Chester Williams says this time they found what they were looking for: this Compact 9-millimeter pistol.
Supt. Chester Williams, C.I.B. Commander
"Upon the officers arrival at the home, upon entering the house one Delroy Matura was observed near a window with a black handgun in his hand. He was subsequently held by the police and the firearm was retrieved from his hand.
It is this black Compact brand 9-millimeter pistol. The magazine was loaded with 15 live rounds of nine millimeter and a further search of the house resulted in the discovery of ten other nine millimeter rounds inside the house."
21-year-old Delroy Matura has been charged for the firearm while 24-year-old Joseph Matura and three minors were charged for ammunition possession. The gun is key because Superintendent Williams believes it was used in recent robberies and shootings.
Supt. Chester Williams,
"We have two robberies which occurred yesterday. The profile of these persons fit the description given by the robbery victims. We are about to conduct an identification parade in relation to both robberies. The firearm also fits the description of a firearm mentioned by the robbery victims as being the weapon of choice used in the commission of these robberies. So we are looking at those two robberies yesterday and others."
The two robberies occurred yesterday at two restaurants on Cemetery Road, just hours apart. The first hit was at Janel's Restaurant. Golda Cardinez who is an employee recounted off camera what happened.
Golda Cardinez, Witness
"Two young men came through the back and they said to sit down and they cranked the gun. One went into the restaurant and put his gun on the customer and told him not to move. Meanwhile we were sitting, the next one emptied the cash pan and took out all the money, grabbed the boss' purse and went with $800."
Keith Swift,
What was going through your mind when this was happening?
Golda Cardinez,
"Well all that was going through my mind was that I prayed that they didn't shoot me because I have my son so that is all I was praying for."
Keith Swift,
These were young guys?
Golda Cardinez,
"Young guys, like 17 years old. Two of them were barefoot."
Keith Swift,
You were frightened?
Golda Cardinez,
"Frightened? I was trembling. Of course I was frightened."
The second robbery occurred about two hours later, again here on Cemetery Road, this time at Charro's Restaurant. Workers tell us that at about 2:30 a young man entered and took a juice out of the refrigerator. He sat down and drank it and got up to pay for it. But instead of pulling out a dollar out of his pocket, he pulled out a gun and demanded their money.
CIB Chief Chester Williams says they are also investigating whether this 9-millimeter gun was the weapon used to kill 15-year-old Jomo Lamb a week ago.
Supt. Chester Williams,
"We are also looking at the possibility that it was involved in the murder of Jomo Lamb so we will be sending it to the ballistic expert to do the necessary ballistic examination on the firearm to see which crime scene we could tie it to."
And while they await those test results, Superintendent Williams is a feeling a bit vindicated because he says they knew all along a gun was in the house. He says it was all a matter of timing.
Supt. Chester Williams,
"Yes we believe the firearm was there the first time, probably it was not inside the house but probably somewhere outside hidden until when it is needed to be used. But because of the lifestyle these young people are living, the fear allows them to sleep with the firearm with them and that is the reason why we decided to give them a early morning visit this morning and it proved successful."
A successful search and seizure but now its left to be seen if the police can tie this 9-millimeter gun to any crime.
Despite the best wishes of police, witnesses at both restaurants told 7NEWS this evening that the suspects who police have detained are not the men who held them up. Again 21 year old Delroy Matura has been charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. His cousin 24-year-old Joseph Matura has been charged for possession of unlicensed ammunition along with three minor boys who range in age from 14 to 17.
As to how this relates to the Jomo Lamb murder, police confirm that his accused killer Kareem Francis is an associate of Delroy Matura.
