Three men were charged yesterday with a string of armed robberies along the Corentyne coast over the last seven weeks.
The trio, Vishal Ramdass, also known as ‘Michael’, 20, a labourer of Lot 157, Ankerville, Port Mourant; Mathew Ganga Prasad, also known as ‘Abel’, 26, a painter of Lot 95, Number 77 Village, Corentyne and Suraj Kowlessar also known as ‘Ravi’, 21, a construction worker of Ankerville, Port Mourant yesterday appeared at both the Number 51 and Reliance magistrate’s courts.
At the Reliance Magistrate’s Court, the men appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh, where they were charged with having in their possession a .32 revolver while not being the holder of a firearm licence, and also possession of two live rounds of .32 ammunition, on March 24.
The men were also read separate charges that on March 24, while in the company of others, and armed with dangerous weapons, that is to say, three guns and one cutlass at Sand Reef Albion, Corentyne they robbed Ganga Persaud of $300,000 and US$350; Aryan Ally of one phone worth $30,000, and Balram Lakeram, 31, of one cell phone worth $30,000.
They were also charged with two counts of discharging a loaded firearm on March 24 at Sand Reef Albion, Corentyne, one being with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm to Jagdeo Ganesh.
The trio were also charged with robbing Sumintra Roopnarine, 65, on March 21 while armed with dangerous weapons, that is to say three guns and a cutlass, of $20,000 and US$100.
Additionally, they were read a charge that while in the company of others and armed with three guns and a cutlass, on March 6, they robbed Hector Corbin of $75,000 at Chesney Housing Scheme.
They are also charged with robbing Jimeal Permaul of $25, 000, one silver bangle worth $8,000 and one silver ring worth $3,000 at Chesney.
Additionally, the men were charged with discharging a loaded firearm on March 22, with intent to harm, main, disfigure Hemlall Bahadur.
The trio, who turned themselves in to police on Monday while in company of their lawyer Charrandass Persaud, told Magistrate Singh that they were assaulted while in custody.
Prasad who raised his shirt to show the injuries he sustained on his back said the police thrashed him about his body to tell them “what the other boy tell them”. He told Magistrate Singh that the detectives told him they were the “boss” and that “them could do anything.”
Prasad also raised his trousers to his knee and showed the court the alleged injuries that he sustained on his knee and leg.
Meanwhile, Ramdass said he was thrashed to the extent that he reportedly started to vomit blood, while Kowlessar noted that he too was beaten about the body.
According to the trio, they were taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital only after they repeatedly begged the police on Tuesday evening. However, they claimed, that the police “hide away” the medications which they received from the hospital.
Meanwhile, the three men also appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court, where they were also charged with several counts of robbery under arms.
One charge read that the men on February 16 at Ankerville, Port Mourant, while armed with a dangerous weapon that is to say a gun and cutlass, robbed Shanta Dudhnauth of five gold finger rings valued at $70,000, one pair of earrings valued at $20,000, one pair gold bangles worth $40,000, one cellphone worth $60,000, two gold chains worth $70,000, one cellular phone worth $40,000, one Samsung Galaxy note 5 cellphone valued at $50,000, three Phablets valued at $60,000 and one Blu cellphone valued at $55,000.
On the said day and location, they were charged with robbing Anthony Dudhnauth of one gold finger ring worth $40,000, one Samsung Galaxy cellphone worth $50,000, a wristwatch worth $7,000 and one music box valued at $20,000.
They were also charged with robbing Shashi Dudnauth of one LG cellular phone valued at $40,000, one gold chain and three gold finger rings valued at $70,000.
They were also read a charge that on Saturday February 3, at Port Mourant, while armed with a gun and a cutlass and in the company of others, they robbed Raveena Ram of one lap top computer valued at $100,000.
They also face the charge that on Saturday February 3, at Port Mourant, while armed with a gun and a cutlass and in the company of others, they robbed Jankee Bisnauth of one gold chain valued at $55,000, one diamond ring valued at $80,000, one gold bangle valued at $100,000 and four pairs of gold earrings valued at $200,000.
The men were also charged with robbing Navini Deoki on February 3, of one Samsung cellphone worth $68,000.
Meanwhile, their alleged accomplice, Premchan Ramsohai, also known as ‘Akash’, 22, a mason of Lot 19 Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne appeared on Tuesday at the Albion Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with eight counts of robbery and discharging a loading firearm with intent.
Ramsohai plead guilty to the charges and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.
On Tuesday, he also appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with robbery under arms committed on Jankee Bisnauth, robbing her of a total of $408,000 in cash and items.
Ramsohai was charged separately with robbing Navini Deoki, 28, of one Samsung Galaxy cellphone worth $68,000, and Raveena Ram, 31 of a laptop computer valued at $100,000.
Additionally he was also charged with robbing Anthony Dudnauth, 35, and three others of cash, gold jewellery and a cellular phone at Ankerville, Port Mourant.
The men will return to the Albion Magistrate Court on April 16.
