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Trio denies robbing Princess Ramada Casino
The three men accused of staging a multi-million-dollar armed robbery at the Princess Ramada Casino were allowed to plead to a robbery under-arms charge, when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday.
They each entered not guilty pleas.
Wayne Griffith, 29, of Bagotville, West Bank Demerara; Junior Stewart, 30, of Lot 141 Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown; and Andre Blackman, 35, of Lot 6 Middle Street, McDoom, East Bank Demerara are accused of robbing Daniel Roberts and Alfea Gajadhar of $8,951,000—-property of the Princess Ramada Casino on April 29, at Providence, East Bank Demerara.
According to police, four men arrived at the Ramada Hotel in a white motorcar bearing a fake number plate. They were armed with guns. They entered the casino and discharged several rounds. They relieved a security guard of his shotgun and ordered patrons and staffers to lie on the ground. It was reported that the accused also held a cashier at gunpoint and made off with local and foreign currency.
Three of the alleged bandits reportedly escaped on foot, while police were able to apprehend Griffith since he was allegedly left behind in the casino.
However, Stewart was reportedly arrested in a house a few days after the robbery with a large quantity of wet money and other valuables. Blackman, a former security guard at the Casino allegedly provided the gunmen with vital information about the gambling spot’s operations.
During the ordeal, Police Lance Corporal Andrew Richardson and four hotel staffers sustained gunshot wounds.
At the men’s first court appearance on May 6, last, they were not allowed to plead to the charge because it was filed indictable. At that court hearing, Attorney George Thomas argued that there is no evidence that Blackman was physically a part of the crime. George pointed out that his client never provided police with any caution statement in relation to the robbery.
Attorney Mark Conway had told the court that his client, Stewart, was beaten while in police custody and had been urinating blood.
However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones objected to the men being granted pre-trial liberty. Jones had highlighted the gravity of the charge and the penalty attached to the offence. He had stressed that an offence of such nature attracts punishment of up to life in prison.
Court facts revealed that Griffith and Stewart currently have matters of illegal firearm and ammunition before the court and it was while they were out on bail for that offence, they committed this robbery.
Griffith, Stewart and Blackman will make their next court appearance on June 24.
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