A Sophia man charged with armed robbery was yesterday accused of trailing the victim after she left a city bank and robbing her at gun-point when she tried to evade him by ducking into a pharmacy.
Twenty-five-year-old Keon Kelvin, of ‘C’ Field, Sophia, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
It was alleged that on October 31, at Georgetown, armed with a gun, he robbed Ann Welsh of a shoulder bag, valued $5000, a BlackBerry smartphone, valued $50,000, and $180,000, among other items.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told Chief Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry that on October 31, Welsh went to Scotiabank on Robb St and withdrew $180,000. He said that as she walked away from the bank, she observed Kelvin following her and as a result she went into a pharmacy at the corner of Robb and Hinck Street.
According to Mangru, Kelvin walked past the pharmacy but subsequently returned, pulled out his gun, pointed it to Welsh and demanded that she hand over her handbag.
Mangru said that Welsh became scared and handed over her bag. However, she later reported the crime to the police and Kelvin was later identified by Welsh from an identification parade.
However, at this point, Kelvin interjected and denied that he was picked by Welsh at the identification parade.
He said it was afterward, when he was already at home, that police officers visited and told him that he was identified by the virtual complainant.
Nevertheless, Mangru objected to bail, citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. He added that if granted bail, it is very likely that Kelvin will not return for trial.
As a result, the Chief Magistrate refused bail and Kelvin was remanded to prison until December 18.
