Duo slapped with robbery under arms charge

Canje River shooting

The two men who were arrested by Police in the Canje River, Berbice, on Friday last – hours before Police fatally shot two of their accomplices – have been remanded.
The two men were arrested in relation to a robbery and larceny indicent, and based on information received, Police went in search of their accomplices which led to the shooting of 37-year-old Indarjit Sham of Betsy Ground Village, East Canje and 21-year-old Amar “Punk” Bissoon, of Adelphi Settlement, East Canje.
Timothy Sampson, 30, of Lot 12 Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice; and Lawrence Van Lewin, 24, of Sandhills, Berbice River, appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore on Tuesday.
The two were jointly charged for robbery under arms.
The Prosecution is contending that on March 2, 2018, at Potoko Creek, Canje River, they robbed Bharrat Mahadeo of 24 sheep valued $1.2 million, four lengths of rope valued $24,000, one solar panel worth $75,000, 15 ducks valued $30,000, one Nokia cellular phone worth $5000, a horse bit valued $10,000, two torchlights valued $4000, a cutlass worth $2000 and a radio worth $2500; the property of Krishna Persaud.
Police Prosecutor Inspector Bernard Brown objected to bail stating that more charges are likely to be filed against the duo. Prosecutor Brown told the court that based on the nature and facts of the crime, they should not be granted their pre-trial liberty. He said both of the defendants have a criminal past.
However, Sampson in a bail application told the court that he and Van Lewin had visited Van Lewin’s mother and were returning home when they were arrested in the Canje River.
The Magistrate accepted the Prosecution’s submissions and remanded the men to prison. The case will continue on March 26.
According to the prosecution’s case, on March 2, 2018, the duo along with four other men; two of whom were armed with guns, went to a ranch house at Potoko Creek, Berbice River, held three male labourers at gunpoint and stole the aforementioned items. Following the robbery, Police allegedly intercepted a boat with Sampson and Van Lewin. Law enforcement ranks later went to the robbery scene where they came under attack and fatally shot two of the bandits while two others escaped.
Later, residents on the nearby community heard a man crying for help and subsequently took Rodwell Crawford, 21, of Betsy Ground, East Canje in a boat and handed him over to Police at Central Police Station. He is also expected to be charged.
Police had released another man on station bail after the victim could not positively identify him. The investigation which is being led by Detective Sergeant Lawrence Thomas continues.