Three men, charged with stealing an ultra-sound machine valued $.5 million from the San Fernando General Hospital two months ago, were denied bail yesterday.The T&T Guardian understands that the police are seeking the assistance of three other people, including two doctors, as investigations into the theft continue.The three accused – Davan Singh, 29, a driver; Jordan Harripersad, 44, a taxi driver and Ramesh Bishram, a wire operator, all of Gasparillo – appeared before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Indra Ramoo-Haynes.They are accused of stealing one Acuson X 150 ultra- sound machine between August 7 and 8 from the hospital.
The charge was laid by Sgt Carl Fortune of the San Fernando Police Station.Court prosecutor Sgt Chanardath Jhilmit objected to bail saying a trace has not been done to determine whether the men had previous convictions or pending matters.He also said investigations were still continuing into the matter.The three were arrested and had been in custody since Tuesday, said defence attorney Lester Chaita.He said the police had enough time to furnish the court with a criminal record, if they had one. He said they were arrested at their workplace and were known.
He said Bishram took care of his cancer-stricken mother. Singh's attorney Renu Teekasingh said her client's mother also suffers from cancer and he was the sole breadwinner in the family.
She said her instructions were that he had one previous conviction.Ramoo-Haynes said she wanted the accused traced before she decided bail. She advised the accused of their right to apply to a Judge in chambers for bail and adjourned the matter to Monday.