“Odella” remanded on larceny charge after Stabroek Market theft

An 18-year-old James Street, Georgetown resident was on Friday remanded to prison after being accused of stealing $122,000 from a man at Stabroek Market earlier this month.
The teenager, Akeem Aaron John, also known as “Odella”, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It is alleged that on Wednesday, September 10, at Stabroek Market, Georgetown, John stole $122,000 from a man at Stabroek Market.
When questioned by Magistrate Singh, John offered an explanation, telling the court: “I was passing and see the bag and I pick up the bag. I didn’t know what was in the bag. I didn’t open the bag, I just picked up the bag”.
“Then I see a man running behind me and shouting hold he, hold. So, I start running and a car come and knock me down. I was on the ground for like 15 to 20 minutes. The man come and took back the bag….” He further insisted that he never went into the bag nor took any money from it.
A police officer who was present in court reported that, according to Persaud, John had in fact made off with the bag. The officer said that about a week later, Persaud spotted John again at the market and pointed him out, and gave chase, leading to his arrest.
The prosecutor strongly objected to bail, citing both the seriousness of the allegation and concerns that the teenager would not return to court if released. The prosecutor also informed the Magistrate that John had previously given the police different names on several occasions, including a false name at the time of his arrest and when he was taken for medical attention.
In his defence, John told the court he had been in custody since Monday and alleged that during his detention at the Stabroek Market outpost, he was beaten by several police officers and denied medical attention. He claimed that it was only on Friday before the proceeding that he was taken to see a doctor.
The investigating rank, however told the Magistrate that he was unaware of any physical assault being carried out on the defendant, and would investigate further.
Magistrate Singh raised concerns with the police regarding John’s claim of being assaulted in custody, but ultimately refused bail. She said she was not convinced the teenager would return to court given the history of him providing false names to the police.
John was remanded to prison, and the matter was adjourned until October 3.