CRIME WATCH
Former Brandermill resident receives nine years
 

U.S. District Court Judge Donald L. Graham recently sentenced Chetanand Kumar Sewraz, a former Brandermill resident, to 115 months in jail for possessing unregistered, destructive devices and destructive devices while in the country on a non-immigrant alien visa. He is a citizen of the Republic of Mauritius, and faces deportation after his imprisonment.

Last July, Sewraz was found guilty of all four charges against him after a five-day jury trial in Ft. Pierce, Fla. In October and December 2005, Sewraz traveled from Virginia to Indian River County, Florida, and used items, including propane tanks, flammable liquids and fire-starting bricks, to construct incendiary devices to set fires to the cars of his estranged wife and mother-in-law.

Chesterfield police assisted in the investigation, uncovering Sewraz's plot to allegedly murder his wife. Sewraz manufactured and attempted to use ricin at his residence at 14005 Fortunes Ridge Court in Brandermill. The ricin was in a semi-solid mash form and did not pose a threat to the public. According to Chesterfield Health Director Dr. William Nelson, ricin is a toxin, not a bacteria or a virus. It cannot be transmitted between people. It is toxic, but only when inhaled, injected or ingested, and contact with skin will usually have no effect.

In other police reports:

Boones Trail Road. The victim previously saw the suspect in her neighborhood, trying to solicit donations for a rescue squad. When the suspect, dressed in uniform, came to the victim's residence in the 8400 block shortly before 9 p.m. on Sept. 26, she instructed her daughter to call the police. The suspect ran to his car and drove off.

Harrowgate Road. On Sept. 30, Chesterfield police discovered a juvenile inside Harrowgate Elementary School. The juvenile and several of his friends, ages 12-15, had climbed up on the roof and entered the school through an open hatch. Once inside, they vandalized the school and stole some items.

Hopkins Road. The suspect entered the McDonald's in the 5900 block at 8:40 p.m. on Sept. 30 and asked for the manager. When the manager appeared, the suspect displayed a handgun and forced the manager to the office where the suspect took money from the safe.

Jefferson Davis Highway. The victim was walking in a parking lot in the 12600 block at 2 p.m. on Sept. 26 when the suspect came up behind her and snatched her purse. He ran through some buildings before getting in a vehicle and driving off.

+ A masked and armed suspect entered the Subway store in the 9300 block around 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 28 and demanded money from a store employee. The suspect fled with the cash on foot.

+ The victim knew the suspect who was in her residence in the 10200 block at 6:20 p.m.on Sept. 29. The suspect asked for money, and the victim gave him $30. The suspect then allegedly put a knife to the victim's throat and took $300 from her bra. Before leaving, the victim said the suspect took her cell phone and told her he would kill her if she called the police. At press deadline, no arrest had been made.

Koger Center Boulevard. The suspect entered the T-Mobile store in the 1500 block around 5:20 p.m. on Sept. 30 and displayed a handgun, putting it into an employee's back. He took the wallet of the employee and cash from two registers before leaving.

Madras Court. An unlocked, maroon 1992 Chevrolet with the keys inside was stolen from the 7000 block on Sept. 28, but was recovered a short time later in the county.

Willesden Court. Someone fired a BB gun, and the shot broke out a window of an occupied school bus on Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. in the 4700 block. No one was hurt.