Cordel Eastman, 31, a miner of Lot 27 Guyhoc Park, Tucville, George-town; Grimmon Rodrigues, 55, (address not stated); Curren Taylor, 29, of Cooper Street, Albouys-town, Georgetown; and Clinton Gobin, appeared yesterday at the George-town Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus where they were charged with armed robbery.
It is alleged that Friday, September 15, at David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a knife, the men robbed George Franklin of articles totalling $240,000 belonging to Clinton Morris and $6,350,000 belonging to Orlando Rogers.
The court heard that Franklin got up to urinate and was confronted by two men who ordered him not to move. One of the men pointed a knife in the complainant’s face and told him not to make a sound. Franklin was then choked from behind and fell to the ground. His hands were then tied with a rope behind his back and he was made to face downwards. After a while, he was able to untie himself and he contacted Orlando who in turn called the police.
An investigation was launched and the police reviewed closed circuit television footage in the area and based on what was seen, they contacted Rodrigues, the driver of a white Toyota, PLL 3555. He was informed of the allegation against him and under caution, admitted to the police officers that he was the driver who transported the men to and from the scene. He was subsequently arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of Gobin, who used a Toyota Fielder station wagon to transport to the wharf, the safe that contained the aforementioned articles.
In court, Gobin pleaded guilty while Eastman, Rodrigues, and Taylor pleaded not guilty to the charge that was read to them.
The police prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that a serious weapon was used, the complainant was placed in serious danger and the money stolen was not recovered.
Bail was refused.
The defendants are expected to make their next court appearance on October 18 for statements.
