Repeat offender remanded after alleged chain snatching

A 22-year-old man, William Goodasaul, was remanded to prison on Friday after appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to a charge of larceny.
Goodasaul, a resident of 494 ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who is no stranger to the justice system, was accused of snatching a gold chain valued at $250,000 from Kellyann Kyte on February 4, at Campbell Street, Georgetown.
After the charge was read to him by Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, Goodasaul pleaded not guilty. He made an attempt to settle the matter by offering to compensate the victim, claiming he could pay the amount with a simple phone call.
He explained that as the sole breadwinner for his 17-month-old child, he would never jeopardise his family’s welfare by committing a crime.

“I don’t have time for this,” he said, adding that he simply wanted to resolve the issue quickly by paying back the money.
Magistrate McGusty asked Kyte if she would accept the money or the gold chain, to which she agreed to accept either.
Goodasaul was granted permission to make a phone call to arrange the payment. However, he returned to court shortly after, informing the Magistrate that he had been unsuccessful in contacting the person who could provide him with the money.
He then begged the court for bail, explaining that he needed to leave in order to secure the funds. However, the Magistrate refused his bail request.
Goodasaul then asked for a week to make another attempt, stating that with a further phone call, he could settle the matter.
In the meantime, the prosecution objected to bail, highlighting the seriousness of the offence, particularly as Goodasaul was found in possession of the stolen gold chain.
The incident reportedly unfolded when Goodasaul, along with another individual on a motorcycle, allegedly stole Kyte’s chain and fled, leaving the motorcycle behind.
Kyte immediately contacted the police, and Goodasaul was arrested with the gold chain allegedly in his possession.
Goodasaul is scheduled to return to court on February 21, with either the chain or the $250,000.
In 2023, the then 20-year-old robbery convict was charged with snatching a policeman’s gold chain valued at $150,000 while being in the company of another.
Goodasaul, who had previous robbery charges and a conviction, was on bail but failed to report to the police as required.
The robbery involved an accomplice who assaulted the victim before stealing the chain and fleeing on a motor scooter driven by Goodasaul.
He was later identified and arrested.
In addition, Goodasaul had recently served six months in prison for a similar offence, and was denied bail due to his criminal history and the seriousness of the charge.