Cops accused of robbing miners of raw gold
Constable Akeem Thompson
Five policemen accused of robbing three gold miners of 16 pennyweights of gold while on patrol were ordered to post $600,000 bail each and report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The cops, Constable Kosi Arthur, 25, of Linden, Region 10; Constable Raphael Lowenfield, 25, of 486 Section ‘D’ Block ‘X’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Lance Corporal Mark Fernandes, 34, of Annandale, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara; Constable Delroy Duncan of 71 Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara and Constable Akeem Thompson, 21, of 65 Bel Air Village, Georgetown, were all arraigned before City Magistrate Judy Latchman.
It is alleged that on July 25, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, they robbed Sherman Noel of five pennyweights of raw gold valued $55,000. It is also alleged that on July 25, at the same location, they robbed Heeralall Girdhari of four pennyweights of raw gold valued $44,000. They are also accused of robbing Euri Samuels of six pennyweights of raw gold valued $66,000.
The accused, who were all handcuffed and placed in the prisoners’ dock, pleaded not guilty to the allegations. They were each instructed to post $200,000 bail on each charge of the three charges and return to court on August 14, for statements.
Attorney Patrice Henry during a bail application asked the court for his clients to be released on minimal bail. He said that Constable Fernandes has been a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the past 14 years. Constable Thompson and Constable Duncan, Henry said, have four years of service in the GPF, while Constable Arthur has two years of service.
Henry told the court that the officers have unblemished criminal records and pose no risk of flight.
According to the lawyer, the police officers were placed on close arrest during the investigation. He said that they were then released on open arrest.
Constable Kosi Arthur
Henry explained that on the day in question, his clients were on patrol duties in the area when they received certain instructions via radio set. He added that the policemen were told that some miners had stolen gold from their employers and proceeded to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Three days after, Henry said, the suspects made the allegation against his clients, who are all serving members of the GPF.
The attorney argued that there is no substantial evidence against the officers to charge them. He pointed out that none of the alleged stolen gold was found in his clients’ possession, and that it was strange that the virtual complainants in the matter were not present at yesterday’s court hearing.
Police Prosecutor Shellon Jupiter did not oppose bail for the defendants. However, she asked that same be granted in a substantial amount to ensure their return for trial. Jupiter also requested for the defendants to lodge their passports and report to the Officer in Charge of CID Headquarters, Eve Leary.
Prosecutor Jupiter stated that the complainants were robbed at around 14:20hrs on the day in question. She said that they were at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, when they were approached by the officers and relieved of the gold.
It was reported that the ranks visited the area after receiving information that the miners were allegedly involved in illegal activities.