By Tom Momberg
A Bayside couple allegedly held a maid they employed in their home against her will Feb. 13 and are accused of proceeding to beat, burn and torture her until she admitted to stealing items from the couple’s home, police said.
The maid, a 54-year-old woman, was working for Devanand and Ambar Lachman, on 217th Street when Devanand Lachman and an unknown accomplice accused her of stealing and kept her from trying to leave, armed with knives and a firearm, police said. The unknown accomplice was described by the victim as a dark-skinned man between the ages of 30 and 35, 6 feet tall with a medium build.
Together, Ambar Lachman and the unknown man beat the victim in her face with an unidentified object and used a torch to burn her eyebrows and skin until she confessed to stealing cash and jewelry, according to sources at the NYPD.
Both Lachmans were charged with kidnaping, while Devanand was accused of assault, the Queens district attorney said. Ambar Lachman was charged with weapon possession, according to the DA.
Ambar Lachman later drove to the victim’s home in search of the stolen items, police said.
After reporting the incident to NYPD’s 111th precinct, the victim was released and treated at a hospital for bruising and burns to her face and legs, the NYPD said. Davanand Lachman is being held without bail, whereas Ambar Lachman was released on $50,000 bail, authorities said.
The couple is scheduled for a court appearance March 2.
Police said no more arrests have been made, but the investigation was ongoing.
