Four men, who were recently arrested following an intelligence-led operation that saw a number of stolen vehicles, as well as parts being recovered, were today charged and remanded to prison.
Those charged are Justin DeSantos, 18, a mechanic of 47, Pearl, East Bank Demerara; Jone Singh, 25, a taxi driver of Kuru Kururu, Linden Highway; Kurt Shepard, 32, a taxi driver of Kuru Kururu, Linden Highway and Miguel Mattadin, 25, a taxi driver of Kuru Kururu, Linden Highway.
The men were this morning arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courts. They were jointly charged for simple larceny.
The first charge stated that on October 12, 2019, at C Field Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, while being in the company of each other, the men stole motor car PHH 3889 valued $700,000 property of Dwayne Simon.
It was further alleged that on September 23, 2019, at South Vigilance, East Coast Demerara, while being in the company of each other, the men stole motor car PFF 7090 valued $500,000 property of Oswald Bento.
The last charge stated that on September 18, 2019, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, while being in the company of each other, they stole one pitbull minibus valued $4.1M property of Orlando August.
The men all pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were represented by Attorney-at-law Paul Fung-at-Fat and Dexter Todd.
Both lawyers asked that their clients be released on reasonable bail citing that they are not flight risks.
Facts presented by prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on November 6, 2019, police ranks, acting on information, went to Kuru Kururu on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, where they made contact with Desantos and Shepard.
The court heard that both men were arrested and a search at Shepard’s residence unearthed several motor car parts.
A further search was then carried out which led to the recovery of several vehicles. Hence, Mattadin and Singh were arrested.
They also assisted Police in recovering a number of vehicle parts in the Kuru Kururu area.
The prosecutor strongly objected to bail being granted to the defendants on the grounds of the serious nature of the allegation.
He highlighted the fact that investigation is ongoing and more charges will be brought against the men.
He also added that there are still numerous vehicle parts and cars that need to be identified by the owners.
In relation to Shepard and Mattadin, the prosecutor told the court that they have matters of similar nature in the Providence Magistrate’s Courts.
The Chief Magistrate, after listening to the facts, remanded the men to prison until November 18.
