Republic Bank staffers were held at gun point during botched robbery

Oct 19, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...ing-botched-robbery/

-Bank tellers testify
Two tellers of Republic Bank Water Street Branch, on Tuesday, testified in the trial of four men accused of carrying out a botched robbery at the financial institution.

Police Constable Anfernee Blackman, 21, of 65 Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Shawn Grimmond of 137 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown; Rural Constable Gladston George, 24, of 55 Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown; and Keron Saunders, 24, of 59 Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara; have all denied the charge which alleged that while armed with guns they attempted to rob Republic Bank on July 4.

They have each been released on $500,000 bail.

The botched robbery attempt on the financial institution left 25-year-old Agronomist, Elton Wray dead.

Wray, the best friend of Haynes, was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire between his alleged accomplices, police and guards attached to the Professional Guard Service (PGS).

The first teller called by Police Prosecutor Richard Harris, when the trial continued before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was Cheyena Khan.

Khan, who is employed at the bank for over three years, told the court that on the day in question she was approaching work when she heard what appeared to be gunshots coming from the eastern backdoor at the bank.

Khan noted that she saw an individual wearing a dark blue uniform with his face covered with a handkerchief. She recalled that the individual was running away from the bank holding what appeared to be a gun.

The other witness was Monefa Watson. She told the court that she has been working with the bank for over five years.

Watson said that it was about 07:45 hrs on the day in question and she was in the bank at her cubicle when she saw three masked individuals running in her direction.

Watson said that she became scared and hit the panic button.

According to the witness, her colleagues told her something and while they were making their way to the top floor of the bank, she saw one of the masked individuals coming down to the lower flat. She recounted that the individual was holding a gun and had what appeared to be blood on his foot.

She said that she and her colleagues were ordered to lie on the ground at gunpoint.

Watson said that after a long period on the ground, one of the armed men told one of her colleagues to stand and she was taken hostage.

The matter was adjourned until November 6 when the witnesses will be cross examined by defence counsel.

The four accused are currently out on bail.

GADAHA gun say they are fine young men who deserve a second and third and fourth chance!!  Well, when you elect a GADAHA expect Donkey shit!!!

Crime is an integral part of Guyanese society. We must not act surprise when it happens.