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Appeal after murder in Croydon

Saravanakumar Sellappan

Police appealed at the scene one week on from Saravanakumar Sellappan's murder

POLICE continue to appeal for witnesses and information following the murder of Saravanakumar Sellappan in Croydon.

Officers conducted appeals in the Brigstock Road area of Thornton Heath from 20:00hrs on Saturday 24 October - one week on from the assault on Saravanakumar.

London Ambulance Service were called at 05:30hrs on Sunday 18 October to reports of a man with a head injury at a residential address in Croydon.

He was taken to a south London hospital where he died on Monday 19 October.

A post-mortem examination was held on Wednesday 21 October and gave cause of death as a head injury.

The man has been formally identified as Saravanakumar Sellappan, 24, of Thornton Heath.

Detectives from the Homicide & Serious Crime Command at Sutton are investigating. They believe that Saravanakumar was assaulted during a robbery in Thornton Heath at approx 22:00hrs on Saturday 17 October.

The suspects are believed to be three white men; officers are not releasing a further description.

DCI Amanda Hargreaves, who is leading the investigation, said: "I would appeal to anyone who was in Thornton Heath last Saturday night and who witnessed this robbery and assault to contact police.

"The area would have been busy with people out socialising and I am fairly certain that somebody has information that will help us with our inquiries."

Police would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the assault or who may have information. Call the Incident Room on 020 8721 4155 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 19-year-old man was arrested in the Hounslow area last night (25 October) on suspicion of the murder of Saravanakumar Sellappan. He is currently in custody in a south London police station.

Two teenage boys were also arrested on suspicion of murder on 23 October and remain in custody.

   Bulletin 0000001501 26 October 2009