Pinner murder: Man arrested after shopkeeper stabbed to death during robbery
Ravi Katharkamar, 54, was attacked聽as he opened up Marsh Food and Wine in Pinner, northwest London, on Sunday morning.
Thursday 28 March 2019 09:45, UK
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a shopkeeper who was stabbed to death during a robbery at a newsagent's.
Ravi Katharkamar, 54, was attacked as he opened up Marsh Food and Wine in Pinner, northwest London, on Sunday morning.
Police said the attacker fled with the shop's till and a passer-by found Mr Katharkamar collapsed inside the shop.
He died at the scene and a post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest.
A 44-year-old man was arrested in Harrow, northwest London, on Wednesday and remains in custody, Scotland Yard said.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Stancombe said: "This was a vicious and unwarranted attack on a completely innocent man.
"Ravi's attacker got away with a few pounds worth of coins, but he leaves behind a family utterly devastated and a close-knit community asking who could do such a thing."
Police say the shop till may have been discarded and have appealed for anyone who finds it to come forward.
Detectives would like to speak to people who saw a black Vauxhall Astra driven away at speed following the stabbing, which happened at about 6am on Sunday.
Fundraising appeals have been launched to try to help Mr Katharkamar's grieving family.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Mr Katharkamar was one of six people stabbed in separate incidents in London over 12 hours on Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The other incidents were not fatal and the victims included a 13-year-old boy.
Abdirashid Mohamoud, 17, was stabbed to death in Isleworth, west London, after being attacked by a masked man on Friday night.
At least 45 people are now known to have been stabbed to death across the UK so far this year.