No bail for accused in million-dollar hold-ups

A Meadow Bank man, accused of stealing almost three million dollars during armed hold-ups last month, was yesterday remanded to prison after being arraigned on two counts of armed robbery.

Howard Rambharose, 23, of Lot 6 Second Street, Meadow Bank, was charged with stealing $1.7M from Leroy Hinds on July 14, at Sheriff Street, during an attacking in which he was armed with a gun and acting with an accomplice.

It was also alleged that Rambharose, along with another and armed with a gun, on July 30, at Sandy Babb Street, robbed Nalini Kawall of $830,000, a BlackBerry smartphone, valued at $110,000 and an umbrella valued at $1,500.

Howard Rambharose
Howard Rambharose

Prosecutor Michael Grant objected to bail, while telling the court that Rambharose is a suspect in several matters of a similar nature. Moreover, Grant said that an identification parade was held on Thursday and Rambharose was positively identified. Additionally, the court heard that statements are in the process of being taken from the victims of the robberies.

Attorney Mark Conway applied for bail for Rambharose, while emphasising that his client is not a flight risk.

He further mentioned that the man, who is known to the police, was never hiding from them; rather, he was in the interior.

In spite of Conway’s efforts, bail was refused and the case was transferred to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court One, where it will be called again on September 22.