A man accused of breaking and entering a gas station and carting off more than $1.7 million in cash was yesterday released on bail after he denied committing the crime.
The charge against William Humphrey states that between January 25 and January 26, at Lethem, Central Rupununi, he broke and entered Lams Gas Station and stole a quantity of cash, amounting to $1,730,700. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Attorney Jerome Khan, who represented Humphrey, asked the court to be lenient in granting bail, while stressing that the man was innocent.
In his submission, Khan argued that the police had a difficult time identifying the person on a surveillance recording of the break-in and expressed doubt about the features of the man on the recording matching those of his client. He said the recording showed a man with a much larger build.
He further questioned the credibility of the police’s case, saying the only evidence against Humphrey was the video footage.
With no objections from the prosecutor, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry set bail at $125,000 and the case was adjourned to February 9, when it will be called at the Magistrate’s Court in Lethem.
