An 18-year-old clothes vendor, who allegedly robbed three persons at gunpoint of over $3 million in jewellery, cash and other items, was remanded to prison yesterday when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Devon Cromwell, of Lot 130 King Edward Street, Albouystown, pleaded not guilty to three counts of robbery under arms.

Devon Cromwel

It is alleged that on March 21, Cromwell used a gun to rob Orland Clarke of a wristwatch, and a quantity of cash totalling $36,000.

It is also alleged that April 5,Cromwell, again being armed with a gun, robbed Michael Dawson of a gold and diamond chain and ring, a cell phone, a wallet and a quantity of cash totalling over $2.7 million.

Cromwell is also accused of using a gun to rob Odessa Wills of a gold and diamond chain, a cell phone, a purse and a quantity of cash totalling $320,000.

Cromwell’s lawyer, Peter Hugh applied for bail for him on the grounds that he had no previous convictions and no pending matters before the court. The lawyer said that none of the items mentioned in the charges were ever found in his client’s possession.

However, Clarke, who was present in court, stated that on the day in question he was in West Ruimveldt with his girlfriend and that as they were walking along Cactus Street, Cromwell and four others, all on bicycles, circled them.

He said Cromwell and another boy pulled out guns and demanded that he and his girlfriend hand over their valuables. Clarke said that when they had done so, the boys saw someone approaching in a car and rode away.

Police Prosecutor Denise Griffith objected to the bail application on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and said that if granted bail he may continue to commit similar offences.

She said she was in Cactus Street on patrol duty on the day Clarke and his girlfriend were robbed and she had observed several bicycle gangs.

The magistrate subsequently ordered that Cromwell be remanded to prison and transferred the case to Court Five for April 14.