Bandits who admitted to robbing Rosignol Chinese Supermarket to compensate owner
Two individuals, who admitted to robbing the Sweet Life Supermarket in Rosignol Village, West Bank Berbice, have agreed to repay the owner.
The accused, Cleveland Sears, a 24-year-old construction worker from South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, and a 17-year-old accomplice, made a court appearance on Monday before Magistrate Michelle Matthias in the Blairmont Magistrates Court.
During the proceeding, the Magistrate ordered background reports for both defendants. These reports revealed their difficult pasts.
For Sears, he finished high school and then did an IT course. As for the teenager, the court heard that he had a history of stealing from his family. Moreover, he was fired from a lemonade factory for stealing money.
Lawyers Ronald Daniels and Kevin Morgan fought for the victims to be paid back. Sears agreed to pay $500,000 to the victim, who accepted a total of $600,000.
Magistrate Matthias stressed the importance of accountability and told both robbers to apologise to the victim and their families when possible.
In the end, both offenders were released but must join counselling programmes provided by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
They have to return to court on June 27 for an update on their counselling and repayment progress.
The men had robbed the Sweet Life Supermarket on April 9. During the robbery, Sears and the teenager, armed with a gun and a knife, demanded cash as the supermarket was closing. They stole $500,000 in cash and $400,000 worth of phone cards.
After the robbery, the police were called in, and the duo was identified from CCTV footage. Confronted with the evidence, the robbers confessed during interviews.
Authorities also recovered $7,800 in cash and clothing matching what they wore in the video. Sears claimed the gun was a toy and said the teenager suggested robbing the supermarket for quick cash.
