Two Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) workers were charged jointly with break and enter larceny Thursday.
Lindon Bishop, 22, a labourer, of 18 Melanie North, East Coast Demerara and Japheph Case, 19, a carpenter, of 910 Rosemarie Lane, South Cummingsburg are accused of breaking and entering the storeroom of the T&HD and stealing a computer and printer, two five-gallon pails of marine paint, 16 one-gallon pails of paint and four 13-plate batteries, among other items. The total value of the articles amounted to $3,357,279.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges and bail was set at $150,000 each.
According to reports, security officials were checking the bond when they discovered a breakage on the north eastern side of the building. The grill, which covers the window on that side of the building, was reportedly cut.
Attorney Adrian Thompson, appearing for both defendants, said it was only when they went to work on Monday that the computer and printer were discovered missing. They were taken to Brickdam Police Station but were released on Tuesday.
Subsequently, an audit was conducted by the TH&D and the other articles were discovered missing. The defendants, he said, were then blamed for the other missing articles as well. Thompson argued that there was no way of knowing how long the items had been missing and it was only the audit that showed they had been removed.
Police Prosecutor Inspec-tor Stephen Telford told the court that on March 13, an eyewitness reportedly saw Bishop removing items from the storeroom. He objected to bail based on the value of the articles. However, he also indicated that it may be granted, bail should be in a substantial amount.
At that point, Thompson queried why the charge for the alleged breakage is between dates. He said there should be a definite time and date. In response, Telford said that on March 4 the breakage was discovered.
The case has been put down for April 28 in Court 10.
