A construction worker and a man who are both currently on remand for several armed robbery charges were on Wednesday faced with armed robbery charges.
Jason Cadogan, 24, of Lot 48 Seaforth Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, and Jamal Cromwell, who was remanded for other robbery charges, were brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in a Georgetown, where they were charged.
Cadogan was read five charges and he denied each.
It is alleged that on August 18, at Lot 79 Da Silva Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed a man of a gold chain, valued $200,000. It is also alleged that he robbed a woman of a shoulder bag, two gold anklets, two gold chains, five gold rings, a gold bangle, a pair of gold earrings, T&T$300 and US$2,000, amounting to $1,433,000 in total value.
He was also charged with robbing Ronald Junior of a gold chain, valued $120,000 and a cellphone valued $60,000. Additionally, he was charged with robbing Bibi Bacchus of two gold chains, valued $300,000, and seven gold rings, valued $250,000. Finally, he was charged with robbing Sachin Khan of two gold rings, valued $140,000, two gold bands, valued $180,000, and a gold chain, valued $120,000.
His alleged accomplice, Cromwell, was separately charged with robbing Bibi Bacchus of the same items mentioned in the charge against Cadogan. He was not required to plead to the charge.
Attorney Latchmie Rahamat represented Cadogan and told the court that on the day in question he was at a pool party and he had witnesses who could testify for him. She said that her client was being wrongfully accused and that the police did not conduct a proper identification parade because the virtual complainants did not give a description of the robber.
Rahamat also said that her client was kept in custody for more than 72 hours and then released on self-bail after the charges were not filed at court on Monday. She said that he appeared at court on Wednesday on his own accord. She described him as law abiding and assured that he would continue to attend court if granted bail.
Police Prosecutor Gillian Simmons told the court that on the date in question, the two men, who were armed with guns, entered a jewellery shop at Da Silva Street, Kitty, at 19:30 hrs. The men allegedly demanded that the persons there hand over their belongings. As a result, the virtual complainants obliged and the men then made good their escape immediately after.
The prosecutor said that Cadogan was arrested by police during a raid at his home on October 25. The police were looking for him in connection with another crime. Simmons said the man placed on an identification parade and the owner of the jewellery shop, Dexter John, positively identified him. He was then charged and kept in custody before being released on self-bail from the Alberttown Police Station.
She added that Cromwell, who is currently on remand for other robbery charges, was also placed on an identification parade and positively identified.
Following the submissions, the magistrate remanded both men until November 17. She, however, advised the police to get clarity on the charge that was brought against Cromwell.
