Boat captain accused of taking over $1M in property from employer

Terrence Hoppie
Terrence Hoppie
Terrence Hoppie

A Pomeroon boat captain was yesterday placed on $50,000 bail after he denied fraudulently converting more than $1 million in items that he was supposed to keep safe for his employer.

It was alleged that Terrence Hoppie, 38, of Martindale, Pomeroon, Essequibo, on January 27, at Georgetown, while being entrusted solely by Corwin Van Sertima, the owner of the boat he operates, with a GPS, a compass, two gas bottles with gas and 800 pounds of seine valued at $950,000, in order that he may keep same in safe custody and return it to Van Sertima, fraudulently converted it to his own use. The items carried a total value of $1,152,000.

The prosecution having no objections to bail, Hoppie was granted same in the sum of $50,000 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and the matter was adjourned to April 5.