Two men accused of robbing a businesswoman of over $600,000 were yesterday refused bail after they appeared in a city court.
The charge against Richard David Simon and Adams Downes stated that on April 16, at Agricola Public Road, being armed with a gun, they robbed Natalie Outridge of a quantity of cash and other valuables, amounting to $605,000.
Simon, 20, a porter of Lot 44 Public Road Agricola and Downes pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1.
Simon was represented by Attorney Leslie Sobers, while Downes was unrepresented.
Attorney Sobers made an application for bail to be granted to Simon. Sobers said on the day of the alleged robbery, his client was at court in Providence being tried for robbery. He furthered stated that after court, Simon went back to work, after which the police arrived and arrested him. Sobers told the court that he believes that his client was either mistakenly pointed out or he is being profiled.
The police’s case is that Outridge, who is a businesswoman, stopped at a shop to buy phone card and a drink when she was confronted by Simon, who pointed a gun to her face. Downes then allegedly cuffed her to her face and relieved her of the cash and other articles. The matter was reported, the victims were positively identified and subsequently charged. The prosecution objected to bail and the court heard that while Downes committed the crime while he was on bail for offence of similar nature.
Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to May 6, when the defendants will appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
