A man accused of breaking into his employer’s house and stealing in excess of $13 million in raw gold and cash was yesterday remanded to prison after appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation against Mark Barry is that on March 6 at Potaro, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Hamilton Xavier Almuia and stole therein 36½ ounces of raw gold valued at $12 million and $1.4 million cash.
The labourer was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge of break and enter and larceny when it was read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
In presenting the facts of the case, Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court that on the day in question, the virtual complainant (VC) secured his home and went out. On his return he discovered a window at his premises open.
After conducting further checks, Telford said, the VC discovered that the vault in his house in which the items were kept was open, and the articles mentioned in the charge were missing.
The prosecutor said the police were later summoned and after conducting investigations, the accused was arrested and charged.
The prosecution made an application for the defendant to be remanded to prison, citing the prevalence of the offence.
The request was granted and the unrepresented Barry was remanded to prison. His matter was transferred to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrates’ Court for April 20.
