Mon Repos teenager remanded over $2.8m theft

A Mon Repos youth was yesterday remanded to prison by the chief magistrate, after he denied  simple larceny and damage to property charges which were brought against him at a city court.

Nineteen-year-old Navindra Ramsammy, of 114 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and heard a charge against him which stated that he, on June 13, at Mousy Backdam, Potaro River, Essequibo, stole one 225 Doosan Excavator computer box worth $2,800,000 and a Doosan Alternator worth $40,000, a total value of $2,840,000, the property of Linden Fordyce.

Meanwhile, another charge was brought against the teen, which alleged that he, on the same date, at the same location, unlawfully and maliciously damaged a quantity of 225 Doosan electrical wires valued at $200,000. Ramsammy also pleaded not guilty to this charge.

Police Prosecutor Arwin Moore who objected to bail being granted  said that Ramsammy is a repeat offender for offences similar to what he is currently charged for. Moore said that the accused was charged in 2014 for a similar offence but the matter was dismissed after the virtual complainant had refused to give evidence. The prosecutor said he is fearful that if the defendant is granted bail he will not attend the court hearings. Moore related to the court that the articles were recovered since it was the accused who took the police into the interior to retrieve the machinery.

The Chief Magistrate later remanded Ramsammy to prison and adjourned his matter to June 28 for statements.