THREE teenagers who claimed they are attending the New Amsterdam-based Vryman’s Erven Secondary School were granted $25,000 bail each when they faced several charges on Monday. They appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo, and each pleaded not guilty to three joint charges of break and enter and larceny, and attempt to commit a felony on stallholders of the New Amsterdam Market.

The magistrate ordered them to be back in court on February 15.

The youths, two of whom are aged 14 and the other 15, are alleged to have broken into the confectionery stall of Nizam Ally and stolen a quantity of sweets valued a total of $28,840.

It is also alleged that they stole from the business premises of Nasmoon Mohammed six bottles of coffee, three bottles of Ovaltine, three bottles of ketchup, three packets of curry powder, five packs of ground massala and five packs of geera priced at $13,120.

Another charge said they broke into the boutique of Lynette David but did not steal; and instead defecated and urinated on items of clothing.
Reports are that on May 8, 2012, the virtual complainants secured their business places and left; but on returning the following day, observed that their respective stalls had been burglarised.

Investigations revealed that the school-age defendants, whose close relatives are vendors, had concealed themselves in the market prior to its closure to commit the crimes.

They were arrested after intense investigations.