A horse cart operator accused of stealing $560,000 worth of lumber was today charged and released on $100,000 bail.
Christopher Kumaji, 29, of Albouystown, Georgetown appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
He denied the charge which stated that between March 5 and 6, 2019 at a city lumber yard, he stole 250bm of lumber, valued at $560,000, from Raymond Duport Lumber Yard.
Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman stated that on the day in question at around 06:00hrs, the virtual complainant received information that the accused was removing lumber from his lumber yard.
The victim then went over to his lumber yard where he caught Kumaji placing the lumber onto a horse cart. The matter was then reported and the defendant was arrested. Approximately 127bm of lumber was recovered on the accused’s horse cart.
The man’s lawyer asked the court to grant him bail in a reasonable amount, citing that he is the sole breadwinner of his family and not a flight risk.
However, Prosecutor Blackman strongly objected to bail being granted to the defendant, citing the prevalence of the offence and the value of the lumber. The magistrate, after listening to both sides, released Kumaji on $100,000 bail. The conditions of the bail are that Kumaji must lodge his passport with the court and report every Friday to the Ruimveldt Police Station until the matter is complete.
He was instructed to make his next court appearance on July 10.
