Three Berbicians were today charged with robbery under arms over the $50m heist at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six on September 13 and were placed on $500,000 bail.
O’Neil Lampkin, 32, a construction worker of Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje Berbice; Damion Morgan, 25, of Fort Ordnance Housing Scheme, East Canje Berbice; and Shkeel Grant, 27, a businessman of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, were charged with the offence of Robbery Under Arms, Contrary to Section 222(c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
The armed robbery was committed on Suresh Sooknanan at the RDC office in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on September 13, 2023.
The three accused appeared this morning at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Faith McGusty where the charge was read to them.
They were not required to plead, however, bail was granted in the sum of $500,000 each.
They will return to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on October 24 for report.
On September 13th, bandits during the wee hours stormed the Region Six compound and carted off the $50m in cash which was to be paid to part-time workers.
Over the weekend, police arrested the three men as they continued their investigation and had reportedly detained a part-time worker who provided them with information.
On September 13th, hours after the robbery, police cornered what was then suspected to be the getaway car at Heathburn Village, East Bank Berbice, during which one of the suspects identified as 19-year-old Kevin Vanlewin, a farmer, from Sandhill, Berbice, was shot and killed. Three of the suspects escaped on foot in the direction of the Canje River, while the driver of the car, Tarrique Pollard also known as ‘Tari’, a 33-year-old taxi driver from Mahaicony, was arrested at the location. A firearm was also recovered in the car.
The driver of the car was eventually released and sources had said that he had said that he was hijacked by the armed men.
After the shoot-out, the police were able to arrest one of the suspected bandits who had escaped on foot. Stabroek News was told that Lawrence Vanlewin who was arrested near the Heathburn location, sustained what is suspected to be gunshot injuries. Lawrence is the uncle of the deceased suspect, Kevin.
The Guyana Police Force had confirmed that Lawrence was hospitalized at the Georgetown Public Hospital “for alleged gunshot injuries.” This newspaper was told, that after being arrested the suspect was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after which he was transferred to the city hospital for surgery.
However, last week, Vanlewin, also known as ‘Larry’, appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Renita Singh where it was stated that on Thursday, September 7 at 55 Stanleytown he stole $300,000, and a quantity of clothing and sneakers valued $200,000, a total of $500,000, property of Damion Southwell.
An unpresented Vanlewin was not required to plead to the charge. Bail was refused and he was remanded to prison. He will return to court on November, 1 for report.
Based on information gathered, prior to the RDC robbery, police had released a wanted bulletin for Vanlewin on the matter he was charged for.
