Porter charged with stealing almost $1.4M in equipment

Ronaldo Benn
Ronaldo Benn

A porter was yesterday remanded to prison after he was faced with charges of stealing a total of almost $1.4 million in equipment.

Ronaldo Benn, 26, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown and was read three separate charges.

It was alleged that between July 6th and July 7th, 2018, at One Mile, Port Kaituma, North West District, he stole a gear box, valued at $200,000, an axle, valued at $80,000, a rear differential, valued at $220,000 and two spanners, valued at $20,000. The articles were all the property of Steven Wong.

It was further alleged that between July 10th and July 17th, 2018, at Fitzburg, Port Kaituma, Benn broke and entered the dwelling house of Shindell Profitt and stole two fuel pumps, valued at $700,000 and which were the property of Profitt.

The court also heard that between June 30th and July 1st, at Train Line, Port Kaituma, Benn stole a ridge gear, valued at $80,000, a filter base, valued at $70,000, balance bearings, valued at $7,000 and two wheel bearings valued at $3,000. The items were all the property of Cleveland Conway.

Benn denied all three charges after they were read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to the accused being granted bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the allegations and the prevalence of the offences.

Subsequently, Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded Benn to prison and adjourned the proceedings until August 6th, when the matter will be heard at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.