Safety officer slapped with possession of gun, ammo charges
Thirty-six-year-old Colin Benjamin, a safety officer of First Alley, Wismar, Linden, was on Friday placed on $250,000 bail on gun and ammunition possession charges.
He reportedly made a virtual appearance at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Wanda Fortune during which the charge was read to him.
He reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. As such, he was placed on $200,000 cash bail for possession of firearm and $50,000 for the possession of ammunition.
He also pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving and was placed on $50,000 cash bail. He will make his next court appearance on January 31, 2022.
It was reported that on December 28, 2021, a party of policemen were on a mobile patrol in the Wismar Police Station District when they responded to a report of noise nuisance at Blueberry Hill. On arrival at the location, ranks observed a private party in progress, with some 100 persons in attendance.
According to a statement from Police Headquarters, the ranks further observed two men acting in a suspicious manner. Upon seeing the cops, the men reportedly hurried towards motorcar PVV 4105 and sped off the scene.
The law enforcement officials thought something was amiss, and gave chase. Shortly after, the vehicle stopped and a man exited from the passenger seat, and the car continued its journey.
The cops managed to intercept the vehicle along Burnham Drive in the vicinity of the Riverview Hotel, where they instructed the driver to exit the car.
However, the driver reversed his vehicle and again drove away into the Silvertown area. The cops continued to give chase, during which they requested back-up.
As the chase continued, the motor car slammed into the Police vehicle before veering off the road and colliding with a GTT power dish.
The officers exited their respective vehicles and observed the suspect exiting the crashed motor car from the window. He was subsequently arrested, and a search of the vehicle unearthed a 9mm Taurus pistol, one magazine, and 11 rounds of matching ammunition.
The suspect was told of the offence committed and was cautioned, to which he reportedly replied, “Me ain’t know about that firearm wha y’all fighting me down for”. He was, however, arrested and charged.