Youth charged after several robbed at gunpoint in Richmond Hill

A minister of the Gospel, a female volleyball player, and a teacher were all apparently robbed at gunpoint in the Richmond Hill vicinity last month, and in the wake of this hotspot of crime, a 20-year-old was taken to court on Monday charged with the offences.

On the night of March 26, Methodist minister, Reverend Adolf Davis of Richland Park was held at gunpoint and deprived of items worth EC$1400, as well as EC$200 in cash.

On the same date, teacher, Daryl Franklyn of Belair was threatened with a gun to give up items valued at EC$470; as well as US$60, and EC$10 cash, and so too was volleyball player Saquana Duncan of Fountain who was robbed of her cellphone and SIM worth EC$535.

Baharri Dopwell of Paul’s Avenue has been charged with three counts of robbery.

Chief Magistrate, Rechanne Browne listened to submissions by Dopwell’s lawyer, Grant Connell as well as by Crown Counsel, Alana Cumberbatch and she denied bail to the accused at the Serious Offences Court on Monday.

Among her points to the court, Cumberbatch had noted that it was communicated to her that Dopwell was arrested by the police at minutes to nine in the night, in breach of a court ordered curfew.

A preliminary inquiry into the matters may begin as early as June 16.

One of the alleged victims has cautioned persons to exercise “some heightened sensitivity and caution.” in and around the area near to the St Vincent Grammar School.

This is the area where this individual was robbed and “I have subsequently learned that a few robberies seem to have taken place in that vicinity. In fact when I went afterwards, I think the Monday after the incident, I went at the back of Grammar School and so forth just in case there’s anything I see that is of value, I discovered that a couple of other persons IDs have been found at the back there from time to time in recent weeks or months,”

“…It is important for people to be very careful in that vicinity. I know the police as far as I know – I think they’re hoping to see if lights could be installed in the area and I don’t know what else they may try to put in place,” the concerned person said but until there is a solution, “it is useful for persons to be a bit more mindful of that and cautious.”

“We function still in St Vincent fortunately, not expecting those kinds of experiences but I think once we are aware we can be a bit more careful…” the concerned citizen added.

They alleged victims also commended the police for acting with speed on the matter.