Linden youth charged with stealing over $5M in property during break-ins

A teenager who allegedly broke into four homes and stole over $5M worth in items was yesterday remanded to prison after he appeared in a city court.

It is alleged that between January 28 and January 30, 2015, at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Martin Fraser, 19, of Lot 6 Constabulary Compound, Linden, broke and entered the dwelling house of Dian Phillips and stole a refrigerator and other items, amounting to a total value of $195,000.

It is also alleged between January 29 and January 30, 2015, at Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, Fraser broke and entered the dwelling house of Nikesha Fiedtkou and stole a refrigerator, two fans and a laptop, amounting to a total value of $329,000.

It is further alleged that the accused, between October 28 and October 30, 2014, at Linden, broke and entered the dwelling house of Leonard Jennings and stole a quantity of electronics and other items amounting to $4,464,000.

And lastly, it is alleged that between January 25 and February 1, 2015, at Linden, Fraser broke and entered the dwelling house of Royston Leon and stole $479,000 in valuables.

Fraser pleaded not guilty to the four charges when they were read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court 1.

The prosecution objected to bail based on the nature and prevalence of the offences.

However, Fraser’s attorney, Gordon Gilhuys, made an application for reasonable bail to be granted to the young man. Gilhuys told the court that he took his client to the Amelia’s Ward Police Station on Wednesday after receiving information that he was wanted for an assault charge. However, he noted that his client was arrested and it was only yesterday morning, before he was bought to the court, that he found out he was being charged with break and enter and larceny.

Despite the lawyer’s submissions, bail was refused and the case was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for Tuesday.