Still no bail for accused in $42M Bourda heist

The three men accused of stealing $42M during a transfer to the Bourda Post Office were again denied bail after new applications were made for their release yesterday.

Stravo Evans, 31, Simeon Williams, and Oliver Franklin, have all pleaded not guilty to a total of six charges laid against them, including armed robbery and abduction.

It is alleged that on April 1st, at Regent Street, Georgetown, Evans, Williams and Franklin, being armed with a gun, robbed policeman Andre July of $42,000,000, which was the property of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). They are also accused of robbing him of a G3 rifle and 22 rounds of ammunition, which belonged to the Guyana Police Force, as well as a cellphone.

It is also alleged that on the same day, the three accused, being together with others and armed with a gun, robbed Darwin Hinds of a $3,400,270 pit-bull minibus belonging to the GPOC. Further, it is alleged that they wrongfully restrained July and Hinds and abducted them.

When they appeared yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman, bail applications for the men were renewed by their attorneys. Evans was represented by attorney Peter Hugh while Williams and Franklin were represented by Paul Fung-A-Fat.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail, citing the nature and prevalence of the offence, the quantum involved and the likelihood that if granted bail the men would not return for trial. Hunt also told the court that the alleged firearm used to commit the offence was recovered and the defendants were positively identified in an ID parade.

Evans, Franklin and Williams were subsequently refused bail and their next hearing is set for May 29th.

The three men accused of stealing $42M during a transfer to the Bourda Post Office were again denied bail after new applications were made for their release yesterday.

Stravo Evans, 31, Simeon Williams, and Oliver Franklin, have all pleaded not guilty to a total of six charges laid against them, including armed robbery and abduction.

It is alleged that on April 1st, at Regent Street, Georgetown, Evans, Williams and Franklin, being armed with a gun, robbed policeman Andre July of $42,000,000, which was the property of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). They are also accused of robbing him of a G3 rifle and 22 rounds of ammunition, which belonged to the Guyana Police Force, as well as a cellphone.

It is also alleged that on the same day, the three accused, being together with others and armed with a gun, robbed Darwin Hinds of a $3,400,270 pit-bull minibus belonging to the GPOC. Further, it is alleged that they wrongfully restrained July and Hinds and abducted them.

When they appeared yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman, bail applications for the men were renewed by their attorneys. Evans was represented by attorney Peter Hugh while Williams and Franklin were represented by Paul Fung-A-Fat.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt objected to bail, citing the nature and prevalence of the offence, the quantum involved and the likelihood that if granted bail the men would not return for trial. Hunt also told the court that the alleged firearm used to commit the offence was recovered and the defendants were positively identified in an ID parade.

Evans, Franklin and Williams were subsequently refused bail and their next hearing is set for May 29th.