Teen, accomplice admit to armed robbery of Chinese supermarket

Two men, including a juvenile, have been remanded following charges of robbing a Chinese supermarket at West Coast Berbice (WCB) Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on April 9.
Cleveland Sears, 24, a construction worker from South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, along with a 17-year-old, appeared at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on Monday before Magistrate Michelle Matthias on an armed robbery charge.
The duo, who was unrepresented, pled guilty to the charge.
It is alleged that the teen and Sears, while being armed with a firearm and a knife, robbed the Sweet Life Supermarket owned by a Chinese national.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards told the court that the teenager was armed with a knife and Sears had a firearm.
Reports indicate that on the evening of the robbery, around 21:12h, as the supermarket was closing, two masked men, armed with a gun and a knife, stormed in, demanding cash. They made off with $500,000 in cash and $400,000 worth of phone cards.
Following the incident, the matter was reported, and the crime scene was examined. CCTV footage led to the arrest of the two, who were confronted with the evidence and subsequently reportedly confessed during video and audio interviews.
Edwards opposed bail, citing the defendants’ failure to provide proper addresses, which Edwards said could hinder police efforts to locate them if necessary.
He emphasised the severity of the crime, noting that a firearm was used during the robbery, and asked the court not to grant bail also on the grounds that both defendants have admitted to the crime.
A probation report had been ordered on the teenager. He was remanded to the juvenile holding centre, while Sears was remanded to prison. They are expected to return to court for sentencing on May 12.