One man was granted $300,000 bail while his two alleged accomplices were denied bail on charges arising out of the South Park Mall robbery last week.
Atiba Sealy, 29, of Princes Town, Jerell Alexis, 20, of Pleasantville and Kirsten Charles, 22, also of Pleasantville, appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court charged with five counts of armed robbery.
Sealy faced two additional charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges alleged that together with another person they robbed a customer and five employees at Island Beer Bar located at South Park Mall, Tarouba on January 8.
The victims— two men and four women, were robbed of cellular phones. The robbers also stole cash totalling more than $8,000, US$10, a coach wallet and other personal items.
Police alleged Sealy had a firearm and two rounds of .38 ammunition in his possession. They were not asked to plead to the charges. Sealy, who is unemployed and Alexis, a self-employed electrician, were unrepresented.
Objecting to bail for Sealy, court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan cited the serious nature of the offences. He also said Sealy was on bail for firearm and ammunition charges when he allegedly committed these offences.
Magistrate Alicia Chankar noted that there were also two warrants for Sealy for missing court in November 2018. Sealy claimed he has a medical report to show that he was ill on that day.
Alexis, the court heard, had two previous convictions for similar type offences and was released from prison on September 14, 2018.
“I was accused of being in this robbery because of that conviction,” said Alexis.
Given the nature of the offences and that they had previous matters for similar offences, the magistrate denied them bail.
Charles’ attorney Cedric Neptune said his client, a fast food outlet worker, was a first time offender. The prosecutor did not object to bail but asked the magistrate to consider the seriousness of the offences.
The magistrate said the only thing working in Charles’ favour was that he had a clean record. Charles was granted approval bail and ordered to report twice a week at the San Fernando CID.
The other two were advised of their right to apply to a Judge in Chambers for bail. The matter was adjourned to February 11.