Attempted robbery on Republic Bank…Cop, among four accused further remanded

Aug 19, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

One month later, Police Constable Anfernee Blackman and former Republic Bank employee Shawn Grimmond are among four men who have been further remanded to prison for allegedly attempting to rob Republic Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown branch on July 4.
Blackman, 21, of 65 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Grimmond of 137 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown; Rural Constable Gladston George, 24, of 55 Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown and Keron Saunders, 24, of 59 Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara, have denied the charge which alleged that while armed with guns they attempted to rob Republic Bank.
Another former Republic Bank employee Jamal Haynes, 24, of 4 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, pleaded guilty to the charge when the matter was first called on July 14 and was jailed for six years by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The botched robbery attempt on the financial institution left 25-year-old Agronomist, Elton Wary dead.
Wray, the best friend of Haynes, was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire between his alleged accomplices, police and guards attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS).
According to facts presented by the Prosecutor Sergeant Bess, on the day in question at around 07:30hrs police received a report of a robbery in progress at the bank and responded promptly.
When police arrived at the scene they were shot at by perpetrators.
The prosecutor revealed that Haynes held Tandukar Singh, a Republic Bank employee, hostage and ran into the arcade situated opposite the bank. He then shoved away his hostage and began running through the arcade, but was later apprehended by police during an exchange of gunfire.
He was found hiding in a stall in the arcade with an illegal 9MM pistol lying next to him.
Saunders, a cousin of Wray, was apprehended by police after he was observed acting in a suspicious manner. The prosecutor had told the court that Haynes and Saunders implicated the others in the robbery attempt on the financial institution.
Sergeant Bess said that Constable Blackman supplied Haynes, Saunders and Wray with the guns used to carry out the botched robbery. Sergeant Bess also said that Constable Blackman transported the men to the location in motorcar HC 7778. The court was told by Sergeant Bess that on the day prior to the attempted robbery, Haynes visited Grimmond’s home and gave him a cellular phone to make contact with him and the others.
In relation to the file in this matter, Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield indicated that it is still incomplete since the post mortem report for Wray is still outstanding. This matter comes up again on August 24, for statements.
Saunders, who is being represented by Attorney-at-Law George Thomas, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutor Mansfield has disclosed that the ballistic report in this matter is still outstanding from the case file. This matter also comes up again on August 24.
Thomas is contending that his client has a strong alibi. The lawyer is arguing that his client was held and gunpoint and forced to comply.
Attorneys-at-Law Dexter Todd, Roger Yearwood are representing Grimmond and George respectively.
Todd had said that on the day of the incident, his client reported to work at Republic Bank and only became aware of the incident after hearing gunshots. He said that his client willingly went to the police and was questioned over a cell phone that was left on his desk at work. He added that Grimmond never took possession of the mobile device.
According to Yearwood, “At no time was Mr. George on the scene of the incident occurred. There is no evidence that he was there.”

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