Timehri man accused of robbing woman after trailing her from bank

A man, who allegedly followed a woman after she had left the bank and robbed her, was refused bail yesterday when he appeared in Court One at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with robbery.

Quacy Fung-A-Fat, 30, of 187 Hyde Park, Timehri pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him by acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.

It is alleged that on June 29 at Georgetown he robbed Patricia Crossman of $860,000 cash and cosmetics to the value of $201,000; the total value being $1,061,000.

He was represented by attorney Patrice Henry who said that on the day in question, the defendant was at the bus park when he was accosted by police ranks and Crossman and taken to the police station.  He said that his client was not aware of the incident.  He then applied for reasonable bail to be granted.

However Police Prosecutor Inspector Stephen Telford objected to the granting of bail.  He said that the defendant was picked up by the police because he was positively identified by Crossman as the man who had robbed her.

Telford said on the day in question, Crossman went to Scotia Bank on Carmichael Street to conduct business.  While she was in the bank, she noticed Fung-A-Fat who approached and spoke to her.  Afterwards, they left the bank at the same time.  The defendant was then picked up by an accomplice on a motorbike.

Further, he said that Crossman then went to German’s Restaurant where she observed Fung-A-Fat standing outside.  As she left the restaurant, he stopped her and told her to hand over her possessions but she refused to do so.  It is alleged that he then placed an unknown object at her side and out of fear, she handed over her bag.  She then reported the matter to the police.  Subsequently in the company of the police she observed the defendant at the Stabroek Market where he was arrested.

In response, Henry said that if the incident had occurred in front of German’s then there should be two or three witnesses in the matter.  He added that it was a clear case of trumped up charges.  He queried why his client would be at the bus park when he would know that the police would be looking for him.

Bail was then refused and the matter transferred to Court Two for July 7.