…to post $250,000 bail each

THREE men charged with stealing $3.1M worth of electrical appliances in Lethem, Rupununi were yesterday ordered to post $250,000 bail each by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.Ronald Fitzpatrick, Vishal Singh and Devon Bomboree (no addresses stated) pleaded not guilty to the charge that said between September 13 and October 11 at Culvert Square, Lethem, being together they broke and entered the house of Reyaz Akbar and stole therein a quantity of electrical appliances worth $1,993,000 along with other articles together valued $3.1 M.
Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant told the court that the virtual complainant (VC) is a businessman and on September 13, he secured his home and left for the capital city (Georgetown). On his return on October 13 he discovered the hinges on his door broken. Akbar made further checks in his home and discovered the articles stated in the charge missing.
The court heard that the matter was reported to the Lethem Police Station and acting on information the defendants were confronted. Subsequently, the trio took the police to an abandoned home in the village where some of the articles were recovered.
The prosecutor did not oppose bail to none of the defendants, but asked the court to consider the value of the items before bail was granted.
Representing the trio was attorney-at-law, Ms. Pamela DeSantos. She requested bail in a reasonable sum for her clients.
Bail was granted with like surety and the matter was transferred to Lethem Court for December 1.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)