Berbice RDC robbery: Case postponed after court file not submitted to new Magistrate

The three men accused of being involved in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) multimillion-dollar robbery made their second court appearance on Tuesday. However, the court was not in possession of the case jacket and as such, the matter was postponed.
The accused, 32-year-old O’Neil Lampkin, a construction worker of Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice; 25-year-old Damion Morgan of Fort Ordinance, East Canje, Berbice; and 27-year-old Shkeel Grant, a businessman of Asylum Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday before Magistrate Renita Singh.
When the case was first called on October 3, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, the trio was not required to plea to the indictable charge and was released on $500,000 each and the matter was transferred to the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

They are charged with robbery under arms, contrary to Section 222 (c) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. The armed robbery was committed at the Regional Democratic Council office in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on September 13, 2023.
When the matter was called in New Amsterdam on Tuesday, Magistrate Singh said she was not in possession of the case jacket and as such, postponed the matter until Friday. This publication understands that the case jacket, which includes details on the case, was not yet transferred to the Magistrate.

The three men had been arrested days prior to their initial court appearance as investigators were able to put together new evidence as it relates to the $40 million robbery which took place at the RDC building during the wee hours on the day in question. Prior to the men being charged, 60-year-old security guard Suresh Sooknanan had told investigators he was on duty at the RDC guard hut situated at the back of the main administrative building when about four unidentifiable men came into the compound from the fence behind the building and dealt him one lash to his forehead with an object, causing him to receive injuries.
He also claimed that his hands were then tied behind his back and duct tape was placed over his mouth to silence him. The men had then made their way into the building and cut open a grilled door where cash was being held. It had been reported that $40 million was stolen during the robbery.
Later in the day, the Police confronted a car with five men, and during a shootout, one of the suspected bandits was shot and killed.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the number one accused – O’Neil Lampkin – was placed on $20,000 bail when he pleaded not guilty to another charge.  It is alleged that on October 3, at Church View International Hotel, he unlawfully assaulted Sean Simon. The accused told the court that on the day in question, he and the other accused were at the bar at the hotel imbibing when the victim was attacked. That matter will also come up again on Friday. Simon was absent from court. (G4)