A British “hired killer” with the pseudonym “Batman” has been arrested in connection with the alleged gang attack of a Serbian man in Cambodia.
The suspect, who, according to Cambodian authorities, also went by the name James Spader, was arrested yesterday in Phnom Penh for the alleged murder of 37-year-old Strahinja Dackovic outside an upscale apartment complex on Christmas Eve.
CCTV footage captures the moment Dackovic came up to a white car parked outside the apartment building, opened the door, and was shot by the assailant seated inside.
Dackovic fell to the ground and crawled on all fours in the road as the car accelerated away. Ultimately, he died at the site.
The man was detained yesterday with a black Ruger pistol, a folding knife, and seven ammunition. Moreover, a lighter, cigarette papers, pills, and minor amounts of marijuana were discovered in his pockets.
Images from the suspect’s police questioning depicted a 31-year-old man with a spider tattoo on his neck and a moustache, wearing black skinny pants and a maroon checkered shirt.
Authorities are uncertain of his true identity because he is rumored to have used the alias “Batman” when serving as a hired gunman in the crime-ridden city of Cambodia.
According to them, the suspect also possessed multiple aliases, including Joseph Swartz, Jason Vernazza, Alan Bradly Wilson, and James Spader.
The Commissariat of Phnom Penh Municipal Police issued the following statement: ‘On February 15, at 7:30 p.m., the Phnom Penh Police Commission and special agents arrested a suspect in connection with the December 24 gunshot murder at the front point of The Peak apartment building.
“The suspect’s aliases include Joseph Swartz, Jason Vernazza, Alan Bradly Wilson, and James Spader.” He is a 31-year-old Englishman with an unclear occupation.
The police are preparing a case to be delivered to the prosecutors in Phnom Penh in order to continue the prosecution by presenting the suspect and the evidence listed above.
Authorities investigating the case stated that the suspect’s aliases complicated their efforts. They claimed he was known as “Batman” among the city’s crime circles due to his tattoos and dark clothing.
Now, an investigator participating in the investigation stated, “The shooting was gang-related.” We discovered clues that led to the assassin known as Batman. It took a long time before we were able to locate him. We are still unaware of his actual name. He is not working with us.’
Meanwhile, Serbian media stated that the victim was from the southern Serbian town of Brus, but had resided in Cambodia for at least eight years.
It is unknown why he was murdered, however photographs from his social media sites show Dackovic posing with weaponry and displaying significant sums of money.
General Sor Thet, Deputy Commissioner of National Police and Phnom Penh Police Commissioner, issued the following statement: ‘On February 15, Phnom Penh Police collaborated with the Khan Chamkar Mon police station to investigate a suspect in connection with a shooting in front of The Peak building in Phnom Penh.
The Office of Special Forces is preparing a case for submission to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
»Batman arrested in Cambodia over ‘gangland hit’«