A 23-year-old mason was granted $160,000 bail by a city court on Friday, after he was accused of robbing two minibus passengers of valuables amounting to $133,000.
Alfred Taylor appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, where it was alleged that he, on June 27, at the Stabroek Market Square, robbed Keith James of a cellphone valued $97,000, a silver band valued $3,000 and $6,000 cash , all totaling $106,000. It was also alleged that he robbed Akash Persaud of a cellphone valued $27,000 on the same day and at the same time.
Taylor denied the allegations and was granted bail in the sum of $80,000 bail on each of the offences.
Police prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that Taylor had been charged in 2015, but not for similar offences. He also explained that the articles had been returned, given that Taylor was caught immediately after he committed the crime.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, on the day in question, Taylor and the victims were in a Route 47 bus when the accused allegedly hit both of the victims to get their attention before he demanded they hand over the valuables. Once he collected them, he exited the bus and attempted to calmly walk away on the bus park.
An alarm was raised and Taylor was apprehended, searched and then arrested.
After being told the bail, Taylor told the magistrate that he does not have that amount of money given his age and means of income. Prosecutor Singh objected to the magistrate lowering the amount, stating the seriousness of the offence and arguing that the bail is set at a reasonable amount.
Magistrate Daly agreed with the prosecutor and adjourned the matter until August 2.
