A Sophia man facing 12 charges, including robbing former Assistant Commissioner of Police Clinton Conway and his family of more than half a million dollars in articles, was yesterday remanded to prison after the prosecutor raised objections to bail.
Keron Anthony Cummings, 24, of 1189 ‘C’ Field Sophia, was charged with varying crimes committed between December 21, 2013 and March 14, 2014. According to Prosecutor Michael Grant, it all began on December 31, 2013 with a break and enter in ‘A’ Field, Sophia, George-town. Loraine Adams secured her home and headed out to work. However, when the woman returned later in the day at about 20:30 hrs, she discovered nearly $2.7 million in items missing including jewellery, clothing and footwear, and a number of power tools.
A few weeks later on February 20, 2014, according to Prosecutor Grant, at about 11:20 hrs, Conway, his daughter-in-law Kimberly Alphonso and his son Diego Alphonso were been relaxing in their Lamaha Park home watching television when Cummings, along with two others, broke into the home armed with guns. The three armed men proceeded to demand cash and jewellery from the homeowners, pocketing $520,000 in items. The men then made good their escape.
Prosecutor Grant added that on March 6, Cummings robbed Lionel Seenarine, a Diamond taxi driver, of a $3.1 million car. According to Grant, Seenarine had been hired by Cummings for transportation from Diamond to D’Urban Backlands. However, on their arrival at the destination, Cummings allegedly placed a gun to the driver’s head and relieved him of the vehicle.
Cummings allegedly robbed Collin Williams, another taxi driver, of his $3 million motor vehicle along with $100,000 worth of items on March 10.
Grant said that on March 14, the man was captured by police ranks during an attempted robbery. According to Prosecutor Grant, police ranks, acting on information, went to 7th Street ‘C’ Field, Sophia to conduct a stakeout.
During their presence in the area, the court heard, the police officers observed Ezra Roberts and Shondela Marks walking along the street with the defendant following closely behind. Upon reaching the two persons, Cummings pulled a gun from his waistband and was about to grab on to the woman when a police officer shouted out, “Don’t move!”
Cummings turned and discharged 2 shots in the police’s direction, Grant said and fire was returned. The accused was hit and fell into a nearby trench. He was pulled out by the police and a .38 revolver along with 2 rounds of 1.38 ammo and an empty shell were recovered on him.
He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) where he was admitted under close police guard until he was released and charged with the crimes. Cummings’s encounter with the police earned him five additional charges.
Prosecutor Grant also mentioned that Cummings allegedly used threatening behaviour at Garalanda Benn as she sat on the verandah of her Lamaha Springs home. According to Grant, the defendant went to Benn’s home at 14:15 hrs and stood at the gate asking for water. Benn refused and Cummings allegedly pulled out a gun and pointed it towards her and threatened that he would shoot her. Fearful for her life, the woman ducked out of sight and crawled inside to call the police. Though the officers responded, Grant said, Cummings had already left.
Cummings was positively identified by all of the virtual complainants in subsequent identification parades.
When given an opportunity to plead, Cummings denied all of the charges laid against him. He was not required to plead to the indictable charges.
Cummings was unrepresented during yesterday’s proceedings but indicated that he was supposed to be represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas.
Prosecutor Grant objected to bail, stating the nature, gravity, and prevalence of the offences as his reasons. He further added that no special reasons had been raised for the consideration of bail for the possession of arms and ammunition charges. Grant also stated that a firearm was used in the commission of the crimes as well as extreme violence when shots had been fired at the police officer.
Bail was refused by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. Cummings was ordered to return to two courts to answer for his accused crimes: April 14 at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for statements and April 22 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, also for statements.
