Alleged robbers remanded for Canje River ranch raid

Two men, accused of involvement in a recent ranch raid at Canje Creek, were Tuesday charged jointly and subsequently remanded when they appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alex Moore.

Timothy Sampson, 30, a cattle farmer of Lot 12 Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice and Lawrence Van Lewin, 24, a chainsaw operator of Sandhill, stood in the courtroom, shackled, as the charge of robbery under arms was read to them. It is alleged that on Friday 2nd March, 2018 at Potocco Creek, Canje River, in the company of others, robbed Bharrat Mahadeo of 24 sheep valued at $1.2M, a solar panel worth $75,000, a flashlight valued at $4000, 4 lengths of rope valued at $24,000, one Cutlass valued at $2000, a Radio with a cost of $2500, Horse bit $10,000, 15 ducks worth $30,000, a Nokia cellphone worth $5000 a grand total of $1,375,000, property of Krishna Persaud. The Prosecution led by Inspector Bernard Brown in his objections for bail stated that the nature and gravity of the crime should be taken into consideration. It was also highlighted by the prosecutor that the men are known to the police for previous offences and in addition, have pending matters at the Springlands Police Station. He stated that more charges are also likely to be brought before them, pending the investigations. However, Sampson, who requested to speak, told the court that, “The day when we went in the boat we were coming out the creek and the police stop we, dem ent find nothing on the boat”. However, Prosecutor Brown stated that nothing was found on the boat, but the police were led to the stolen items with the assistance of the suspects.

Bail was subsequently denied and the two men are set to return to court on March 26. Additionally, a 21-year-old man of Betsy Ground, who was handed over to police by Canje residents yesterday after he was heard yelling for ‘help’ in the Canje Creek, is likely to be charged. This was confirmed by a source close to the investigation. It was disclosed that the victims identified the individual as one of the six men involved in the robbery, giving police the green light to place him before the court for the offence. The other suspect has since been released on station bail.

(Kaieteur News)