After being charged at least four times with stealing vehicles, a former psychiatric hospital patient was back before a city court on Monday to answer a charge that he stole another car.
It is alleged that on March 17, at Queen Street, Kitty, Raymond Samaroo, 25, of Owen Street, Kitty, stole a car valued at $1.7 million and $15,000 from Farieda Mohammed.
Samaroo pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers objected to bail based on the seriousness of the offence and the fact that the defendant has pending matters.
Samaroo, he noted, had been committed to a mental institution.
Samaroo’s lawyer, Darren Wade, told the court that his client was released from the National Psychiatric Hospital in Berbice in February. The lawyer mentioned that he was sent there by Magistrate Fabayo Azore to ascertain whether or not he was well enough to stand trial in another case.
Samaroo was charged at least four times for allegedly stealing cars and other items from persons in the Kitty area. Last year, he was charged with robbing Rhonda Joaquin, of a Honda CRV, and Eon Pearson, of his Toyota Allion. He also allegedly stole a vehicle from Rishi Lall at Sheriff Street while the man’s girlfriend was still seated in the car. The day after that incident, Samaroo allegedly stole the same vehicle again, this time from the police station. Samaroo was subsequently referred to the psychiatric hospital but was released.
Chief Magistrate McLennan opined that since Samaroo was released from the mental institution by the doctors, it means that he is fit and well enough to stand trial.
Samaroo was subsequently granted $75,000 bail and his matter was adjourned until April 25, when it will be heard in Court 10.
