Couple charged with stealing $1M in cash, items

Magistrate Sueanna Lovell granted $200,000 bail to a reputed husband and wife charged with stealing more than $1 million in cash and items, when they yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Denish Kumar and Wanetha Charran were charged with the offence of simple larceny which states that on January 25, at Industrial Site Ruimveldt, they stole from Christopher Lawrence, $1,882,000 along with articles amounting to $1,992,000 in total.

The two accused were not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to them in Court One by acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine – Beharry. However, the matter was transferred to Court Two before Magistrate Lovell where the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was applied and the duo pleaded not guilty to the offence.

In narrating the facts to the court, Prosecutor Jairam Luckhai said that on the said day, at about 10 am, the VC went to the Building Materials and Appliance Depot located at Industrial Site with his vehicle PJJ 9372 to purchase PVC panels. Lawrence parked his vehicle in front of the building, leaving his cash and other items in it, before entering the store to make enquiries.

When he returned to his vehicle, the VC discovered the cash and items missing. He promptly made a report at the Ruimveldt Police Station and an investigation was conducted.

The prosecutor told the court that Kumar was seen on a close circuit camera leaving the location. The man allegedly stole the items and gave them to Charran. The court heard that that $191,000 was recovered from Charran.

After listening to the facts, the magistrate informed the duo that bail is granted on condition that they lodge their passports with the police. They were ordered to return to court on February 28.