TWENTY-ONE-year-old Deon Marks, who was recently shot in the left eye in a standoff with police at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was remanded to prison when he appeared before Providence Magistrate Alex Moore yesterday.Marks was required to answer to five counts of armed robbery, one count of being in possession of an unlicensed gun and ammunition, and one count of shooting at police and at a licensed firearm holder.

The Lot 156 Kaneville, EBD resident, a father of one, stood in the prisoner’s dock unrepresented by legal counsel, his left eye swollen and in stiches — after being operated on at the Georgetown Public Hospital — as the magistrate read him the charges.

The first charge read that on December 13, at Grove Housing Scheme, EBD, while being in the company of others and being armed with a gun, he robbed Cheryl Embrack of a quantity of gold jewellery, two cellular phones, and her stereo set, totalling $252,000.

Another charge read that Marks discharged a loaded firearm at three police officers with intent to disfigure, maim, or cause them grievous bodily harm.

Another charge read that, on the day in question, he had in his possession a .32 pistol and 10 matching live rounds of ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Another charge read that on December 3, at Golden Grove, EBD, while being armed with a hand gun, Marks robbed Collin Semple of two cellular phones valued at $31,000; and looted the phone of Kamacie Semple, valued at $20,000.

On November 20, at Grove, EBD, he allegedly held Dracaena Melville at gunpoint and relieved her of all her gold jewellery, totalling more than $250,000.

Marks was also charged with allegedly robbing Jacqueline Melville of her gold jewellery, her cellular phone, and cash to the total value of $845,000.

Besides all these charges, Marks was charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Arlington Samuels with intent to disfigure, maim, or cause him grievous bodily harm. This act was committed when Samuels, a licensed firearm holder, went to the rescue of the Melvilles.

Marks was not required to plead to any of these indictable charges.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant, objected to Marks being granted bail on grounds of the nature, seriousness and prevalence of the offences. He pointed out that a gun was used in commission of the robberies, and explained that the gun was sent for ballistics analysis.

Grant also said that more charges are likely to be laid, since the defendant is currently under investigation by the police.

Magistrate Moore refused Marks bail, and remanded him until January 25 for report.

RECAP
On December 13 last, Embrack was entering her home at Grove, EBD in the wee hours of the morning when she was allegedly attacked by Marks and an accomplice, one of whom was armed with a handgun. The men took her into the house and seized a stereo set and a cell phone.

While the robbery was in progress, neighbours informed the police, and when they responded, they encountered the perpetrators as they were leaving the scene.

The police reportedly came under fire, and returned same, injuring Marks, from whom they retrieved the unlicensed pistol and ammunition. Marks was arrested and subsequently charged.

Marks’s capture is another plus for Operation Dragnet, which, at the beginning of this month, came into effect to curb criminal activity, and has already resulted in a reduction in serious crimes.

By Clestine Juan