An airport employee who was caught driving a stolen car by police at a roadblock was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul.
The court heard that between April 10 and 11 at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, Messiah Eastman, 21, of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, stole a motor car valued at $2M, property of Aubrey Stoby. Eastman pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him by the magistrate at the Better Hope Community Centre, where the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court is temporarily being housed.
Police Prosecutor, David Goodridge who objected to bail, pointed out the car was found in Eastman’s possession while he was trying to escape from the police during a roadblock.
On the day in question, April 10, the virtual complainant left his car keys with a security guard at the Ogle International Airport. The keys were left there to be picked up by his son, since he was leaving for the interior.
The security guard however misplaced the keys and later observed too, that the car was missing. He then reported the matter to the Sparendaam Police Station on April 11.
About 22:00hrs on the same day the car was reported stolen, police officers at a roadblock on the Sparendaam Public Road, observed that it was the missing vehicle, trying to avoid them at the roadbloack. The ranks gave chase and caught up with Eastman who was driving the stolen car. He was told of the offence and arrested.
According to the Prosecutor, Eastman allegedly told the ranks that he saw the keys on the floor and decided to take the vehicle for a drive.
Eastman was subsequently remanded to prison by the Magistrate. His matter was adjourned until April 29.
