NINETEEN-year-old Preston Skeete, a mason of Amelia’s Ward; Harold Rogers of Lot 1103 Central Amelia’s Ward, and 20-year-old labourer, Shawn Wilson of Central Amelia’s Ward, all Linden, Region 10 addresses, were not required to plead to charges of having stolen a minibus and a car when they appeared yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate, Fabayo Azore.

It is alleged that: (1) Between March 1 and 2 at Wisrock in Wismar, Linden, they stole one minibus valued at more than $3.5 M, property of the Linden Mayor and City Council;

and (2): Between April 2 and 3 at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, they stole one silver grey 212 motor car, PPP 2664, valued at more than $1.8M, property of Renson Rawlins.

The men were represented by attorney-at-law Ms. Konyo Thompson-Sandiford. She told the court that she was aware of her clients being charged in relation to the motor car, but was surprised to hear about a minibus.

Defence counsel said the car was rented from a car rental service, and on the day in question, Rogers was the driver while the other two accused were passengers.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not disclose the prosecution’s facts, but informed the court that a confession statement had been obtained from Skeete. She also did not object to the men being granted bail, and they were each placed on $150,000 bail on each of the two charges they face.

The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for April 14.