Uriel Mentore, who is accused of being one of the bandits responsible for a spate of armed attacks on supermarkets and gas stations along the East Coast Demerara, was yesterday charged with six counts of armed and attempted robbery, while his girlfriend was accused of receiving stolen goods.
Mentore, 26, of Nelson Street, Mocha, and girlfriend Fiona Smith, 24, of Lot 8 Paradise, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Better Hope Community Centre to answer the charges.
In the attacks, the robbers would pose as customers and then proceed to hold up workers and customers and then escape on CG motorcycles.
It was alleged that Mentore, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, Shivo’s Supermarket at Non Pareil, Wisdom Supermarket at Vryheid’s Lust, attempted to rob Daily’s Supermarket at Enterprise, robbed R Prashad’s Service Station at Mon Repos, attempted to rob the Shell Gas Station at Ogle and robbed Viscom Electronics October 19, November 3, November 4, November 5, November 9 and November 11, respectively, along the East Coast of Demerara.
Mentore pleaded not guilty to the six charges.
Police Prosecutor Hattie Anthony told the court that after the string of robberies, Mentore was finally caught by the police. According to the prosecutor, there is strong evidence against the accused.
Meanwhile, Smith, was charged with being in receipt of stolen articles from Viscom Electronics. She too pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to her by the magistrate.
The magistrate subsequently remanded Mentore to prison, while Smith was granted her release on $35,000 bail. The offences that took place in the jurisdiction of the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court were adjourned to December 15, while the offences that took place in the jurisdiction of the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court were adjourned until January 11.
According to a police statement, the motorcycle and two full-faced protective helmets allegedly used during the commission of the crimes are in police custody.
