A Crane, West Coast Demerara man was yesterday remanded to prison after being charged with the armed robbery committed on the Sun Beam Hangout Bar and its patrons last week.
Maxwell Elcock, of Lot 286 Crane Housing Scheme pleaded not guilty to six charges of armed robbery when he appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rushell Liverpool.
It is alleged that on October 18, at the Sun Beam Hangout Bar, located at Lot 9 A New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, while being armed with a gun, Elcock robbed six customers of a quantity of cash and other items.
Bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to November 11.
At the time of the robbery, the bar owner, Yodeshwar Chetram, was present along with six customers, who were drinking and playing pool.
Chetram told this newspaper that he was behind the counter performing his duties when two men entered the bar. One of them proceeded to the counter to purchase cigarettes, while the other stood at the entrance.
He said just after the transaction was completed, the bandit at the entrance whipped out a firearm and ordered that everyone remain quiet and hand over their valuables.
Searches were carried out on the customers, who were relieved of cash and other valuables. One customer who refused to follow the bandits’ instructions was gun butted to his head.
The men then carted off a total of $115,000 in cash, several cell phones, and a quantity of alcoholic beverages and they made good their escape in a car that was parked outside the bar.
