A policeman was among two men yesterday charged with the armed hold-up in which the employee of a taxi service was robbed of over $600,000.
Policeman Collin Harris and Kevin Pollard were both remanded to prison on a charge of armed robbery, when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Both Harris and Pollard denied the police’s claim that on December 7, at 99 Sugar Cane Street, South Ruimveldt Gardens, they robbed Rosita Kalchow, an employee of Green Ice Taxi Service, at gunpoint.
It is alleged that Harris, being armed with a gun, robbed Kalchow of $620,000 and US$50, which were the property of Vibert Puran. Kalchow, an office assistant attached to the taxi service, was allegedly held up at gunpoint by Harris and relieved of the money, while Pollard was said to have been waiting on a motorcycle for Harris.
According to the police, they rode away after they committed the robbery but a dispatcher with the taxi service subsequently sent a message to taxi drivers on the road that led to their identification and apprehension by police.
Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that an identification (ID) parade was held and Harris was identified as the gunman.
Harris’ attorney, Melville Duke, told the court that his client is a serving rank of the Guyana Police Force and is of good character. According to Duke, Harris was only identified as one of the robbers when he went to the East La Penitence Police Station. Duke further stated that at the station, his client was searched but nothing was found on him. Harris was said to have been wearing a red helmet at the time of the robbery but according to Duke his client went to the station wearing a black helmet.
Pollard’s attorney, Winston Moore, said that his client was never identified in an ID parade and petitioned for bail.
Mangru objected to bail, saying that the men may be flight risks while also citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.
Harris and Pollard were subsequently refused bail and remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry until January 10, 2014, when the case will be called again.
