Duo accused of $31M robbery granted bail

Jun 29, 2016 News

Albert De Freitas at court yesterday

Basdeo Sukhoo at court yesterday

Two men appeared in court yesterday, for allegedly robbing Marvin Samaroo of two computer hard drives valued $73,500; 15 flash drives valued $10,500; one wireless mouse valued $10,500; three phone chargers valued $10,500; memory cards valued $25,200; several hard drive cables valued $21,000; and a quantity of memory cards as well as other items on May 4, last, at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.
Albert De Freitas, 27, of Lot 100 Leopold Street, Georgetown, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Savanna Barnwell; and Basdeo Sukhoo, 22, of West Coast Demerara who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Olwyn Joseph, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess.
It is also alleged that on the same day the men robbed U Mobile Cellular Corporation of one Blackberry Z10, one Azumi Mobile; one Samsung Note 2 and two Samsung Galaxy cellular phones valued among other items.
All told most of the items represented articles used by Digicel to maintain and support its telecommunication activities in Guyana. The combined articles were worth $31M.
To these allegations, De Freitas and Sukhoo were not required to plead since the charges were filed indictable.
The suspects were described as perennial trunkers who have managed to remain at large for a very long time, always targeting cars and escaping undetected.
They were each released on $450,000 bail and ordered to lodge their passports. They were also instructed to report to the Head of Major Crimes Unit, Mitchell Caesar, every Monday and Friday at Criminal Investigation Department, Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
De Freitas’s Attorney, Savanna Barnwell, she claimed that her client was brutally beaten by police officers. Barnwell also stated that a complaint was made to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum. The lawyer pointed out that despite the complaint her client was not taken to see a doctor.
Police Prosecutor, Christopher Morris objected to bail citing the nature and gravity of the offence. He said that De Freitas was in custody since last Saturday and that police are unaware of the beatings.
During the court hearing a medical certificate for De Freitas was presented to Magistrate Bess by the prosecutor. The medical was subsequently shown to the lawyer by the Magistrate.
When the Magistrate inquired from the prosecutor if the crime was captured on CCTV, the prosecutor said that he is in possession of a caution statement from Sukhoo. Prosecutor Morris added that the case file is still incomplete.
This matter will be called again on July 19, for statements.

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