Trio charged in $1M Avon hold-up

The three men accused of robbing an Avon employee of $1M were today remanded to prison after appearing by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The trio was also arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession charges.

The allegation against Joel David, 30, Rondell Tappin and Anthony Warner is that on February 9, at Camp Street Georgetown, they robbed Donald Joseph of $1M. The money was the property of Beauty and Homes Systems Inc, which is the importer of Avon products. On the same day, the men are accused of having had in their possession a 9mm handgun and 16 live rounds of 9mm ammunition without licences.

Police had said that the three were arrested shortly after they carried out a brazen armed robbery outside Avon headquarters on Camp Street, on Wednesday. The arrests were made after a plain clothes rank trailed the getaway driver. He was arrested and his accomplices were later held at a Walker Terrace house with $1M.

The men were not required to plead to the indictable charge of robbery when it was read to them. They, however, entered not guilty pleas on the unlicensed firearm and ammunition possession charges.

David, of 35 Walker Terrace, West La Penitence, is a mason. Tappin, of Pineapple Street, West Ruimveldt, told the court that he was a labourer. Meanwhile, Warner, of 1680 South Ruimveldt Park, is a taxi driver.

They were ordered to return to court on March 10 for reports.