TWENTY-two-year-old fisherman Devon Allicock of Lot 33 James Street, Albouystown and 34-year-old push cart vendor Michael Gomes of Lot 31 James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown pleaded not guilty to break-and-enter and larceny charges committed on SOL Warehouse when they appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan.Particulars of the charges detailed that between July 17 and 19, at Agricola, East Bank Demerara, they broke and entered the warehouse of SOL Guyana Inc and stole 135 cases of Rimula oil valued at $2,317,680.

Attorney-at-law, Mr. Euclin Gomes represented both men. He told the court that neither of his clients has any convictions or pending matters. However, he noted that Gomes, who is also a part-time fisherman, was shot to his left leg and arm and is currently receiving medical treatment.

According to the defence counsel, both men were catching fish (cuirass) when the police were running behind persons who had allegedly broken into a bond. During this incident, Gomes was shot.

Police prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that on the day in question, police, acting on information in relation to a robbery report, confronted four men and returned fired at them, but two of them managed to escape. Subsequently, checks were made around the compound, and it was observed that the items mentioned in the charge were missing.

The court heard that the two men escaped in a boat from the back route of the company in the Demerara River.

The police prosecutor did not oppose bail, but asked that surety be granted in a substantial amount. The men were each placed on $200,000 bail, and the matter was adjourned to July 27 for report. (Geeta Rampersaud)