A security officer who reportedly stole several solar panels from the Two Miles Primary School and a businessman who allegedly purchased the stolen items were on Wednesday charged and granted bail.
Shawn Caesar, 26, of Two and a Half Miles, Bartica, Potaro Road and 44-year-old Sunil Ramcharran of 1st Avenue, Bartica, Essequibo River both pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.
Police stated that between April 19, and 22, 2024, Caesar stole four Merisolar solar panels valued at $260,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana. He was granted $90,000 bail and was ordered to report to the Bartica Police Station every last Friday of the month until the trial commences.
On the other hand, Ramcharran was charged with ‘Receiving Stolen Articles’ and was granted $100,000 bail. They both will make their next court appearance on May 15, 2024.
Charged: Shawn Caesar
It was reported that repairs were recently done on the mentioned school, and the solar panels were replaced and as such, the old panels were stored under the school’s stairway.
The school is monitored on a 24-hour basis by a Security Service.
However, on April 22 at about 07:30h, the school’s Canteen Manager, Melanie Gardener was cleaning in the vicinity where the panels were stored when she observed four of them were missing.
As a result, she brought it to the Head Teacher’s attention, who later reported the matter to the police.
Acting on the information received, the police visited the home of Ramcharran, who gave them some information thus leading to the arrest of Ceasar who admitted to stealing the panels.
Meanwhile, the businessman was further questioned and he took the ranks to a vehicle where two of the panels were kept. In addition, he went to the roof of his building and removed the other two.
Both Caesar and Ramcharran were arrested and subsequently charged.
