A self-confessed serial robber appeared before the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Thursday charged with a series of armed robberies on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).
Shemroy Hackett, 27, called ‘Donkey’ of Lot 137 Bare Root, Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD, pleaded not guilty to all ten charges and was remanded to prison until September 30. Hackett was positively identified during several identification parades conducted on Wednesday, in relation to six recent armed robberies, including one that was committed on the owner of R. Ramlogan General Store, Logwood, Enmore, last Monday.
The defendant was apprehended following a high-speed chase and shoot-out with police. He was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
In addition to the six robbery under arms charges, Hackett was also slapped with two counts of discharging a loaded firearm with intent, as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and twelve rounds of matching ammunition.
It was reported that sometime around 15:45h on August 29, four masked and armed men confronted the grocery shop owner and demanded cash and jewellery. The men subsequently carted off a quantity of valuables including a licensed handgun with fifteen rounds of ammunition, after assaulting the businessman.
They then made their escape from the premises, hijacked a pink Toyota Raum bearing registration PNN 334 and proceeded in the vicinity of Bare Root, further up the Coast.
However, they were observed by ranks of two patrols, and upon realising that they had attracted the attention of the Police, the men opened fire.
In retaliation, the Police discharged several rounds at the vehicle, one of which shattered the back windscreen. The perpetrators abandoned the car and fled towards the backlands of Bare Root. They were pursued by the Police and Hackett was arrested with the unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
A number of live rounds and spent shells were also found in the stolen car, which was taken into Police custody.
Whilst in custody, the man also confessed to being a member of a gang which committed a series of armed robberies on the ECD.
Police in ‘C’ Division (ECD) are currently working on vital information received to apprehend the three other bandits involved in the Enmore robbery and efforts are also being made to dismantle the gang which Hackette admitted to being a part of.
