Accused in NA robbery says he was bystander

Jamal Munroe, of Savannah Park, New Amsterdam, who is accused of robbery, yesterday told Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus that he was arrested although he was only a bystander during the attack.

Munroe was arraigned at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on charges of robbery and break and enter larceny.

It is alleged that on March 21st, at Nicolay Street, New Amsterdam, while in the company of others, Munroe robbed Lloyd Butchey of a gold chain, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone  and cash, all amounting to a total of $71,000.

Munroe was not required to enter a plea but he told the court that he was merely standing at the head of Nicolay Street when police responded to the robbery and arrested him.

It was also alleged that Munroe, on March 31st, at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, while in the company of others, broke and entered the home of Erica Hope and stole two laptops, two cellphones and a DVD player, valued in total at $295,000.

Munroe, in his defence, said Hope did not see him.

Munroe was subsequently placed on $100,000 bail and ordered to return to court on April 13th for his next hearing.