Fisherman Albert De Freitas, who allegedly stole a handbag containing items and cash totalling in excess of $135,000 from a parked car, was remanded to prison when the matter was heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
De Freitas of 100 Leopold Street, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, which stated that on May 23 at Duncan Street he stole a handbag valued $20,000, containing $115, 000, two master cards, two ATM cards and other documents, property of Soya Roshini Fraser.
Prosecutor Vernette Pindar, who related the facts to the court, said that on the day in question, around 11:00 hrs, the virtual complainant (VC) and her husband parked their car on Duncan Street and headed to Popeye’s, leaving her bag inside.
Upon her return, Pindar said, the VC saw the defendant exiting her husband’s car with the bag and entering another car. She said she had earlier observed the defendant and some other men sitting in a vehicle in the vicinity.
The prosecutor said the VC then contacted police on patrol nearby and the defendant was later found and arrested.
When the magistrate inquired about prior convictions, the defendant told the court that he had an attempted murder charge pending and he was previously arraigned on some assault charges.
Considering this, the prosecution objected to bail being granted.
Bail was refused and the accused was remanded to prison until his return on July 2.
