Five policemen attached to the Brickdam Police Station were yesterday charged with robbing miners of a total of 15 pennyweights of raw gold.
It is alleged that Lance Corporal Mark Fernandes, 34, of Lot 16 Annandale Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara and Constables Raphael Lowenfield, of 486 Section ‘B’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Akeem Thompson, of Lot 65 Bel Air Village, East Coast Demerara; Kosi Arthur, of Linden, and Delroy Duncan of Lot 71 Sisters, West Coast Demerara, robbed Yuri Samuels of six pennyweights of raw gold, valued $66,000; Sherwin Noel of five pennyweights of raw gold, valued $55,000; and Heeralall Girdharie, of four pennyweights of raw gold, valued $44,000.
The robberies are alleged to have occurred on July 25, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara.
The virtual complainants were absent during yesterday’s proceedings, which were presided over by Magistrate Judy Latchman in Georgetown.
After being read the three counts of robbery, the accused pleaded not guilty.
Police Prosecutor Inspector Shellon Jupiter had no objections to bail but requested that there be conditions attached.
Each of the accused was placed on $200,000 bail for each of the three charges and was ordered to report to the officer-in-charge at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters at Eve Leary on Fridays, at 3pm.
Meanwhile, defence lawyer Patrice Henry, during his bail application, stated that his clients were on patrol duty when they received information about illegal activity at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. Henry told the court that they searched the suspects but nothing was found in their possession and they were allowed to go.
He added that three days later his clients were told of the accusations made against them by the miners. Henry added that nothing was found in their possession.
The lawyer also requested a reduction in bail for his clients but Magistrate Latchman did not entertain the request.
The quintet will return to court on August 15 for statements.
