Man granted bail after months in custody for phone theft

After spending more than two months in custody, 25-year-old Alkleyon McCollin, of Rahaman Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has been granted bail.
McCollin, who was jointly charged with 22-year-old Leon Harris of Meadow Bank Squatting Area for simple larceny, was placed on $150,000 bail when he appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The duo was accused of stealing a Samsung Galaxy S24 from Bibi Hussain, and an iPhone 6S belonging to Amanda Williams, on December 11, 2024, along Water and Longden Street, Georgetown.
According to police, the phones were snatched from the victims at separate locations before the suspects fled. Investigators later retrieved one of the stolen devices, which was secured as evidence.

During the initial hearing before Magistrate McGusty, McCollin pleaded not guilty to both charges, while Harris admitted to stealing one of the phones but denied stealing the second.
Harris had told the court that he suffered from mental health issues, claiming that his condition impaired his ability to make sound decisions at the time of the incident. He stated that he had been facing personal struggles, including family problems and difficulties in providing for his three-year-old daughter.
Harris was sentenced to two years in prison, while McCollin remained on remand.
At Friday’s hearing, McCollin’s Attorney, Jermaine Jarvis, once again petitioned for his client’s release, highlighting that he had been in custody since December 13 and had been seeking bail since last year. He requested reasonable bail, assuring the court that McCollin would comply with all conditions set by the court.
The prosecution requested additional time before proceeding with the case, prompting the Magistrate to consider the circumstances surrounding the matter. After hearing both sides, McCollin was granted bail in the sum of $150,000.
Although McCollin has now been released on bail, the case remains ongoing. The court has set the next hearing for April 11 for further proceedings.