Alleged bandits who posed as GPL meter readers remanded

The two men who posed as Guyana Power and Light (GPL) meter readers and attempted to rob a 56-year-old housewife were on Friday charged and remanded to prison.
Jose Fraser, 25, a porter of Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and 20-year-old Jaleel Thomas of Cinema Street, Diamond, EBD, appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Court.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that on November 2, at Covent Garden Back Street, EBD, they attempted to commit a felony, to wit, robbery. They will return to court on January 3.
It was previously reported that at around noon on November 2, the housewife was in her yard doing laundry when the two men approached her and told her that they were GPL meter readers.
The woman allowed the men into enter her yard, pointed them in the direction of the meter, and continued washing. The woman told investigators that whilst she was doing her laundry, someone suddenly grabbed her and demanded that she hand over her money.
The suspect then began forcing her up the stairs to her home. This caused her to scream and shout “thief”. As a result, the perpetrators let go of the woman and walked out of the yard. Shortly after, public-spirited citizens went to the woman’s aid and she pointed to the suspects, who were walking towards the public road.
With the assistance of a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) officer and a Police Constable attached to the Providence Police Station Traffic Department, the 25-year-old porter was apprehended.

Quick response by Police ranks also resulted in the apprehension of the second perpetrator who was found hiding in the storeroom of an apartment complex which is located in the area.
They were arrested and taken to the Golden Grove Police Station where they were kept pending charges. A Police report said that one of the perpetrators was being grilled in connection with a robbery. (G1)