A Route 41 minibus conductor was yesterday released on $50,000 bail after denying that he robbed another man of a phone while using violence.
Appearing before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, Romel Hoppie, 33, a father of four, pleaded not guilty to the robbery charge. It is alleged that on May 28 at Plum Park, South Sophia, Hoppie robbed Mario Eversley of a Galaxy S5 phone valued $110,000 and at the time of, before or after, made use of personal violence.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Simmons objected to bail on the grounds that she heard from other officers that the defendant was sentenced in Sparendaam to two years in jail for another matter. She added that several other stations are investigating the defendant in relation to similar matters.
In response, the Magistrate stated that he cannot work with hearsay and if the defendant was truly sentenced, there should have been a sentence order out for him.
Hoppie told the court that he was locked up since Thursday. He said he was arrested at the minibus park and taken to Providence and then to Sparendaam. He maintained that he did not rob the complainant but said that Eversley had hit his bus light and gave him his phone.
Bail was subsequently granted by the Magistrate in the sum of $75,000 but was reduced to $50,000 after the defendant explained that his bus is not working.
The matter will be called again on June 28.
