Four men and one woman remanded on attempted robbery, murder, and firearm charges

Four men and one woman were remanded in custody today, after being charged in relation to the attempted burglary of the General Employees Cooperative Credit Union(GECCU) branch in South Rivers.

Erasto Dasilva of Canouan, Lemar Isaacs of Mckies Hill, Esroy Jeffers and Rakiesha Joseph of Layou, and Sharome Dopwell of Paul’s Avenue appeared at the Serious Offences Court before Senior Magistrate Colin John on July 19, 2024 where five indictable charges were laid against them.

Sharome Dopwell, seen with bandages, leaves the Serious Offences Court

They were jointly charged that on July 16, 2024 at South Rivers they had in their possession eight rounds of 9mm ammunition without a license issued under the Firearms Act; used a firearm to aid in the commission of a robbery; without lawful excuse, damaged two metal and glass doors valued EC$2,800.00, one dead bolt lock valued EC$270.00, one skylight valued EC$300.00, property of GECCU and was reckless as to whether such property would be damaged; being armed with a gun robbed Charissa Pitt of Georgetown of one brown Land ladies purse with personal items valued EC$250.00 and at the time of doing so and in order to do so put the said Charissa Pitt in fear, being there and then subjected to force; and with intent to commit the offence of murder on Joron Samuel of South Rivers did an act which is more than merely preparatory to the commission of the offence.

Esroy Jeffers, seen in the back of a police vehicle, covers his face after the court session

Bail was denied for all the defendants as the matter is still being investigated. Prosecutor Renrick Cato said that it is alleged that two firearms were involved in the matter and only one has been recovered.

He added that the prosecution is fearful that the defendants will disturb or hinder the police’s investigations if they are granted bail. Prosecutor Cato’s application was granted, and the men were remanded into custody.

The five will reappear at the Serious Offences Court on Monday, July 29 2024 for bail review.

Rackisha Joseph leaves the Serious Offences Court