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Suspect Wanted for Kidnapping, Burning Port Washington Woman

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Have you seen this suspect? If so, the NYPD wants to hear from you.

A Queens couple was arrested for allegedly kidnapping their 54-year-old maid after the husband and a third suspect tortured her and then ransacked her Port Washington home, New York City authorities said.

Devanand Lachman and his wife, Ambar, were charged in Queens court with kidnapping, assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Ambar Lachman was also charged in Nassau County court with robbery and menacing. NYPD officers are additionally searching for a third suspect they believe to be involved—the man pictured in the sketch authorities released.

The husband and the second unidentified man “placed a hand torch on the complainant’s right leg, causing a circular burn,” investigators said in court documents obtained by the Press.

That was after the two men—who police said were also armed with knives and a pistol—allegedly punched the victim repeatedly at the couple’s Bayside home, where they accused the victim of stealing money and a gold chain at about 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, according to the documents.

Ambar Lachman then drove both men and the maid—who they allegedly held at knifepoint in the vehicle—to the victim’s home to search for the items, authorities said in the documents. The wife waited outside with the victim while the men searched the home, the victim told investigators. After the search, the men came up empty handed, police said.

“Devanand Lachman told the complainant that he would return to her home tomorrow and if she did not have the money, he would kill her,” police said in the documents.

The victim was treated at a hospital for burns to her face and legs as well as bruising to her body. The couple was later arrested.

“After joint consultation with Queens DA, it was decided that Queens had primary jurisdiction due to the fact that the most serious crimes occurred there,” Paul Leonard, spokesman for the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, said in a statement. “The two incidents are so intertwined that it made the most sense for one office to prosecute both cases.”

Devanand Lachman was ordered held without bail. A Queens judge set bail for Ambar Lachman at $50,000 and a Nassau judge set bail for her in the robbery case at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. They are due back in Queens court on Monday and Ambar Lachman is due back in Nassau court on April 23. Their attorneys were not immediately available for comment.

Police described the third suspect as a 6-foot-tall, dark-skinned man, who is 30 to 35 years old with a medium build. Police released a sketch of the suspect in the hopes that someone will recognize him and report him to investigators.

Detectives ask anyone with information about the suspect or in regard to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.