FOLLOWING the ongoing investigation of an armed robbery committed on a mining camp at Takutu Backdam, Puruni River, three persons, including a woman on Tuesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with robbery under arms.

Joanna McKenzie, 32; Georgenio Taraman, 33 and Shemroy Barclay, 34,pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on August 17, 2018, while being armed with cutlasses and a gun, they robbed Joseph DaSliva of three magic mats valued $30,000. The trio, all residents of Bartica, was represented by attorney-at-law, Trenton Lake.

The matter is being prosecuted by Inspector Gordon Mansfield, who told the court that Barclay, when arrested, took the police to the area where the gun was hidden. He also confessed and told the police how the two other defendants were involved.

Mansfield added that there is an ongoing police investigation into the gold which was stolen from DaSliva, since the officers were yet to determine the quantum of gold lost.
The trio was placed on $200,000 bail each and the matter was adjourned until September 12, when the case will be recalled at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.