Brazilian charged with Lethem robberies

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 20:59 by GxMedia

ROBBERY ACCUSED: Paulo Silva in cream shirt partly hidden by elderly man

Paulo Silva was not required to plea to the charges that on February 5 at Pacifico General Store, Lethem he attempted to commit a felony by being armed with a gun attempted to rob Yon Fatt Chong.

He was refused bail and remanded to prison until March 3 when he is expected to appear in the Lethem Magistrates’ Court.

The robbery charges are that:

1.      On December 4, 2013 at Paicfico General Store being being armed with a gun he robbed Zhou Sheng of one cellular phone, one laptop computer together $188,000.

2.      On December 4 2013 being armed with a hand gun he robbed Pacifico General Store of $70,000 Brazilian currency  (equivalent to GUY$7 million, US$1,700 (equivalent to GUY$340,000, GUY$3 million , 60 wrist watches with a total value of GUY$$11.8 million property of Yon Fat Chong and Zhou Sheng

3.      On December 4, 2013, being armed with a gun he robbed Yon Fat Chong of US$310, $240 Suriname dollars, and GUY$40,000 property of Chong. 

Police Prosecutor Inspector Michael Grant said Silva and others had tied up Chong and Sheng and robbed them of the cash and items.

The court was further told that on February 5 about 6 PM, Silva was nabbed while travelling to Brazil after he was identified as the alleged perpetrator. It was on that date, that Silva and others allegedly attempted to commit a felony by tying up the victims but they were rescued by residents.

The Prosecutor opposed bail on grounds that of the prevalence of the offence and that Silva posed a flight risk, a view that Defence Lawyer Peter Hugh disagreed with because Brazilians frequently shop in Lethem. The prosecutor admitted, under questioning, that Silva was not placed on an identification parade.