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Queens Man Accused Of Torturing Housekeeper Remains Held Without Bond

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man remained in custody following a court hearing Monday on accusations that he tortured a housekeeper in Queens – allegedly along with his wife and a third man who remained at large.

A judge again denied bail for Devanand Lachman, 32, who is charged with kidnapping and assault. His wife, Ambar Lachman, 31, is also charged but was released on $50,000 bail last week.

Ambar Lachman and other family members emerged Monday afternoon following the court hearing. They hid their faces as they left.

Daisy Machuea was attacked inside a Bayside residence last Friday, police said. Remembering the attack, she told CBS2's Weijia Jiang she was convinced she would be killed.

"The guy told her, 'Say goodbye to your family, because you're going to die here,'" said the victim's friend, Oscar Ramirez, who interpreted for her.

Machuea, a 54-year-old grandmother, was treated at a hospital for burns to her face and legs, as well as bruising to her body, police said.

On Feb. 13, Machuea said she arrived for work as a housekeeper at the home where she worked, on 217th Street in Bayside, Queens. She said the home turned into a torture chamber.

She said a large knife was put up against her neck when she arrived.

Police said the Lachmans had accused Machuea of robbing them of $8,000 in cash and jewelry.

She was allegedly confronted by the Lachmans and another man, sources told CBS2. The Lachmans questioned Machuea about the missing property while the third person burned her with legs, face and hair with a torch, sources said.

The third person and Devanand Lachman allegedly beat Machuea too, and allegedly threatened her with a knife and gun.

Daisy Machuea
Queens housekeeper Daisy Machuea, suspected by her employers of stealing cash and jewelry, was allegedly burned and beaten while they questioned her, sources say. (Credit: CBS2)
Daisy Machuea
Queens housekeeper Daisy Machuea, suspected by her employers of stealing cash and jewelry, was allegedly burned and beaten while they questioned her, sources say. (Credit: CBS2)
Daisy Machuea
Queens housekeeper Daisy Machuea, suspected by her employers of stealing cash and jewelry, was allegedly burned and beaten while they questioned her, sources say. (Credit: CBS2)
Daisy Machuea
Queens housekeeper Daisy Machuea, suspected by her employers of stealing cash and jewelry, was allegedly burned and beaten while they questioned her, sources say. (Credit: CBS2)
Daisy Machuea
Queens housekeeper Daisy Machuea, suspected by her employers of stealing cash and jewelry, was allegedly burned and beaten while they questioned her, sources say. (Credit: CBS2)
Daisy Machuea
Queens housekeeper Daisy Machuea, suspected by her employers of stealing cash and jewelry, was allegedly burned and beaten while they questioned her, sources say. (Credit: CBS2)

Machuea showed CBS2 dozens of wounds, saying she was punched in the head and face.

After prolonged interrogation and abuse, the victim told them she had the missing merchandise and would hand it over, sources told CBS2. According to the criminal complaint, the housekeeper was driven back to her Long Island home and told if she didn't return the money by the next day she would be killed.

"She said, 'OK, OK, take the money,'" Ramirez said.

But Machuea said it was a desperate lie to stop the brutal beating, and she never took anything.

The couple drove Machuea home to Port Washington, Long Island to look for the cash. Her longtime friend saw her badly hurt and called 911.

Both Lachmans were arrested the following day, sources said. They are not cooperating with authorities and have not revealed the identity of the third suspect, sources said.

Police have released a sketch of the third person they are seeking. They described him as a dark-skinned man, 30 to 35 years old, 6 feet tall and with a medium build.

Woman Beaten Burned In Queens
Man wanted for allegedly holding woman in Queens home where she was allegedly beaten and burned. (Credit: NYPD)

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

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