Third man charged over $1m Regent St theft

Dante Griffith, the third man to be charged in relation to a break and entry at a Regent Street business last month, which resulted in a loss of more than $1 million to the business, was yesterday granted bail by a city court.

The man appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

It was alleged that between April 26 and April 27, Griffith, along with company, broke and entered an auto store on Regent Road, Bourda where they stole a quantity of motor vehicle accessories, as well as 500,000; the total loss amounting to $1,296,600. The business is owned by Viviknand Ramotar.

The prosecution said that on the day in question, police responded immediately and Griffith was caught on camera running from the scene of the crime. However, when shown the footage, he denied it was him.

Griffith’s attorney, Ronald Daniels, asked for bail for his client, as the young man has never been convicted of any crimes before. He further went on to explain to the court that Griffith lives with his mother and step-father and that if compensation is presented as an option, the young man’s mother would ensure he pays it in full.

Prosecutor Analisa Brumell had no objections to bail for the accused, and after consideration of the overall cost of items stolen, bail was granted at $100,000.

On April 29, two men were remanded by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in relation to the same crime.

Deon Brown and Trevin Alleyne were brought before the city court, where they were jointly charged.

Brown, 38, and Alleyne, 20, first pleaded guilty with explanation, however, their pleas were changed to not guilty after the magistrate heard their explanation.

Both men were later remanded to prison on the charge.