Taxi-driver Alistair Johnson, who claimed he received a vehicle from a friend who pawned it to him to borrow money, was yesterday charged with receiving a stolen article.
It is alleged that on November 18, in Linden, Johnson, 24, of Lot 5 Section “C” Christianburg, Linden, received a silver Toyota Primo, valued $3.7M and property of Sonia Solomon, knowing it to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charge and he was released on $100,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The Chief Magistrate was told that police officers received information and proceeded along the Linden highway, where they stopped Johnson in the vehicle, PPP 4131, for which he denied ownership.
Prosecutor Seon Blackman said that he was taken into custody and an investigation was carried out and revealed that the car was stolen from Solomon.
Blackman had no objections to bail but asked that it be set at a substantial amount. Attorney Gordon Gilhuys, who represented, Johnson said he had received the vehicle from his cousin the day before he was held, along with valid papers and registration.
Gilhuys noted that the cousin had lodged the car with his client and borrowed $250,000.
After bail was granted the case was transferred to the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court for today.
