Joel David, Rondell Tappin and Anthony Warner, who are accused of robbing an Avon employee of $1 million, were yesterday remanded to prison after appearing before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
They were also charged with having an unlicensed gun and ammunition.
The allegation against David, 35, Tappin and Warner, is that on February 9, at Camp Street, Georgetown, being armed with a gun, they robbed Donald Joseph of $1 million. The money is property of Beauty and Homes Systems Inc, Avon.
On the same day, the men are accused of having in their possession a 9mm hand gun and 16 live rounds of 9mm ammunition without licences. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge of robbery under arms when it was read to them. However, the pleaded not guilty to the unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession charges.
In presenting the prosecution’s case, Corporal Lionel Harvey told the court that on the day of the incident, the virtual complainant (VC) Joseph was approaching his car when the defendants accosted him, placed a gun to his head and demanded the money. Afraid for his life, Harvey said, Joseph quickly handed over the cash to the defendants, who then made good their escape in a waiting car.
The court then heard that an alarm was raised and police pursued the defendants, who went to David’s home, where the money was found along with the gun and ammunition.
Attorney Mohamed Zafar, who represented David, made an application for him to be granted bail.
He said David, of 35 Walker Terrace, West La Penitence, had no antecedents, posed no risk of flight and had been cooperating with police.
Meanwhile, Tappin, who told the court that he lives at Pineapple Street, West Ruimveldt but did not know the house number and Warner, a taxi driver of 1680 South Ruimveldt Park, were both unrepresented by counsel.
The prosecution objected to the men being granted bail and stated that David is a known character to the police and may want to flee the jurisdiction in an attempt to avoid trial. Further, Harvey said that Tappin has provided the court with no fixed address and as such can make it difficult for police to locate him.
After listening to the facts of the case, the acting Chief Magistrate informed the men that they will be remanded to prison. They were ordered to return to court on March 10 for reports.
