One of the alleged gunmen who recently carried out a brazen armed robbery on a Corentyne Cambio dealer carting off almost $22.5M worth in cash and jewelry was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday.

Clive Vanlewin, 19, a farmer of Sand Hill, Berbice River appeared at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court unrepresented and was not required to plea to the charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on December 12 at #79 Village, Corentyne Berbice, Vanlewin while being in the company of others, robbed Devendra Churaman called “Katak” of a quantity of foreign currency and gold jewelry valued $22.5M.

The police prosecutor strongly opposed to the farmer being released on bail, noting that several other persons are expected to be charged for the same robbery. He further pointed out that Vanlewin was a part of the 15 gang members who robbed Churaman.  The Chief Magistrate remanded Vanlewin to prison until December 29, 2016 and transferred the matter to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

At around 01:45hrs on December 12 gunshots rang out in Cambio Dealer’s Lot 93 Albert Street, Kingston, Corriverton residence as 15 men armed with AK47 assault rifles, shot guns and cutlasses broke down a steel door to gain access into his home.

According to Churaman, five of the men entered his home while the others kept guard at the side of his house, on the street and on the fence while discharging several rounds in the air, and setting alight fire crackers. After gaining entrance into the home, the bandits used a sledge hammer to break a steel door, gaining access to the businessman’s bedroom.

There, they held him at gunpoint and forced him to lie on the floor while the other bandits demanded cash and jewelry.

According to the 48-year-old cambio dealer, he told the bandits he did not have money and one of the bandits rushed up to him, threatening him with a cutlass. And at this point, he handed over some money. The bandits ransacked the home and took away jewelry worth over $1M and over $20 million in US and Guyana currency. The bandits also took away the surveillance footage from the home before making good their escape.

Crime scene investigators were able to recover eight spent shells (7.62 * 39), two spent shell gauge cartridges, one warhead, 21 live (7.62* 39) rounds and fire crackers at the scene of the robbery.

Last Wednesday, an identification parade was held where the businessman pointed out the Vanlewin. This newspaper was reliably informed that during the ordeal, the mask of one of the bandits came off, revealing his identity briefly.