A taxi driver accused of stealing a $500,000 band is now on bail after he appeared in a city court yesterday.
Gregory Alves, 42, of Lot 59 La Parfaite Harmonie, denied that on March 13, he snatched a gold and diamond band from Bhadenauth Seeraj on Water Street.
Alves told the court that he was walking along Water Street on the day in question, when two police officers walked up to him. He said the police told him he was wanted for obstructing traffic. Alves said he accompanied the officers and was locked up at the Prashad Nagar Police Station. He said it was only at yesterday’s hearing that he learnt of the larceny-from-person charge.
Prosecutor Seon Blackman rebutted Alves’ claims. Blackman said the defendant was positively identified by Seeraj. He further mentioned that Alves has similar matters before court five at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Blackman also objected to bail on the grounds of the value of the article, that the accused was positively identified and the prevalence and nature of the offence.
Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty subsequently granted Alves $200,000 bail, after Attorney, Paul Fung-a-Fat, who held for his lawyer Adrian Thompson made a successful bail application.
The case was adjourned until April 9.
