Shopkeeper remanded for robbing taxi driver at knifepoint

Dennis Johnson, a shopkeeper whose left leg is amputated, was on Monday remanded to prison for robbery under arms following his appearance before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 25-year-old of Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the charge which stated that on May 20 while in the company of another and armed with a knife, he robbed Ulric Da Silva of a motor car, HC 8838, valued at $3,600,000, a cell phone valued $4000 and $4000 in cash. The accused robber was remanded to prison until June 8, 2021.
The prosecutor said that Johnson hired Da Silva to transport him home. The court was told that Da Silva picked up Johnson at Bachelor’s Adventure, East Coast Demerara. Upon arrival at his destination, the prosecutor said that Johnson held Da Silva at knifepoint.
With the help of his accomplice, Johnson allegedly relieved the taxi driver of the items. He and his accomplice then made good their escape. Following the robbery, Da Silva lodged a report with the Police. At that time, Police were able to recover the car, but no one was arrested.
On June 4, the taxi driver visited the Brickdam Police Station to enquire about another matter when he saw Johnson in custody and alerted Police ranks that he was the person who robbed him. During his address to the court, Johnson said that the Police came to his house and arrested him.
Thereafter, he said that he was taken to the Brickdam Police Station and placed on an identification parade, but no one pointed him out. According to the defendant, after he lodged $10,000 station bail, Da Silva walked into the station and claimed that he robbed him.
The defendant told the Magistrate that Da Silva was “lying on him.” He said that he does not indulge in criminal activities, except for the sale of small quantities of narcotics. The Police prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Johnson on the basis that he is a repeat offender. In the end, the presiding Magistrate remanded the defendant to prison.

Larceny charge
Meanwhile, in another matter, a 21-year-old mason of Guyhoc Squatting Area was also remanded to prison on a larceny charge. Shamar Davis denied the charge which stated that on May 1, 2021 at Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he stole $600,000 cash from David Wilson.
The prosecutor said that Davis was positively identified by the virtual complainant because there was a brief confrontation between them. The prosecutor added that there is a video circulating of the incident which Wilson has already provided to the Police. According to the prosecutor, Davis is under investigation for several crimes by the Alberttown Police Station.
When given a chance to speak, Davis told the court that a Police rank shot him in the leg. The defendant said that on the day in question, he was riding his motorcycle when a Police rank stopped him and asked him to produce his driver’s licence.
Because he did not have a licence, Davis said he rode away. According to him, another Police rank drove up and opened fire on him. He also said that he was beaten by Police ranks. The defendant said he was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and later escorted to the Brickdam Police Station where he was informed of the allegation levelled against him. (G1)