Bandits agree to repay $600,000 to Chinese Supermarket after robbery

…ordered to apologise, undergo counselling

Two robbers, who admitted to holding a Chinese supermarket owner at gunpoint and robbing the supermarket were on Monday granted bail by Berbice Magistrate, Michelle Matthias.
The incident was committed on April 9, at Sweet Life Supermarket of D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice (WBB) Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
Cleveland Sears, a 24-year-old construction worker from South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, and a 17-year-old, committed the robbery.

On April 14, they pleaded guilty to the charge and were remanded to prison – Sears to prison and the teenager to a juvenile holding centre.
The duo, who were unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the charge.
The teen and Sears, while being armed with a firearm and a knife, robbed the Sweet Life Supermarket owned by a Chinese national.
The court was told that on the evening of the robbery, around 21:12h, as the supermarket was closing, two masked men, armed with a gun and a knife, stormed in, demanding cash. They made off with $500,000 in cash and $400,000 worth of phone cards.
Following the incident, the matter was reported, and the crime scene was examined. CCTV footage led to the arrest of the two, who were confronted with the evidence and subsequently reportedly confessed during video and audio interviews. Police were able to recover $7,800 along with clothing that matched what was seen in the CCTV footage.
Sears claimed that it was a toy gun that was being used and told investigators that as they were passing the supermarket, the teen said they could make some quick money if they went into that supermarket.

The Magistrate had ordered probation reports on both robbers and asked that they return to court on May 19 for sentencing.

Troubled lives
The probation reports revealed that both robbers had troubled lives with Sears completing high school and dropping out of a tertiary institution but was able to complete an information technology course while the teenager who dropped out of school at the age of 15, frequently stole from family members and dismissed from a lemonade factory for stealing money from his employer.
It was recommended that both defendants benefit from professional counselling and that the teenager be reintegrated into the school system.
Following the presentation of the probation reports, Attorney at law Ronald Daniels, who represented Sears, and Attorney at law Kevin Morgan, who represented the teen, mitigated for restitution with Daniels saying that his client was willing to pay $500,000 to the virtual complaint.
However, the Chinese national said he would be willing to settle for $900,000.
It was eventually agreed that he would accept compensation of $600,000.
Magistrate Matthias offered some guidance and warning to both defendants, who both apologised to Bin Boa Que, the supermarket owner.
However, the Magistrate said they also need to apologise to family members when they can do so. She ordered that they both be released on their own recognisance but must be a part of the counselling programme which will be conducted by the Human Services and Social Services Ministry.
They will have to return to court on June 27 for an update on their counselling sessions and restitution.