Armed Robbery at Kaieteur News: Seven Men Remanded, Including Two Former Employees

Seven men, among them two former Kaieteur News staff, were remanded to prison for their roles in an armed robbery at the Georgetown newspaper. Over $38.8M in cash and valuables were stolen.

Seven Remanded Over Armed Robbery at Kaieteur News, Including Former Research Assistant

Seven men — among them two former employees of Kaieteur News — were on Friday remanded to prison in connection with an armed robbery carried out at the Georgetown newspaper, newsroom.gy reports.

Those charged before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court are Ryan Wharton, 33, a former Research Assistant at Kaieteur News; Joshua Junor, 35, a former Security Guard at the outlet; Lemuel Grant, 23; Harry Stongster; and Ivor Belingie, also known as "WildLife."

The five men denied that between October 9 and 10, 2022, at Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, while armed with a firearm, they robbed Kaieteur News — owned by Glenn Lall — of $38.8 million in cash, a Republic Bank cheque valued at $9.1 million, $9,360 USD, a .32 Taurus pistol valued at $350,000, ammunition valued at $480,000, a firearm case valued at $25,000, two handles valued at $10,000, and six magazines valued at $60,000.

It is further alleged that the men robbed security guard Noel Junior of $5,000 in cash and graphic designer Wayne Little of a cellular phone valued at $44,000.

Mastermind Identified, Alibi Raised

Police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Neville Jeffers, strongly objected to bail for all five, telling the court that each man had given statements detailing his specific role in the commission of the crime. Jeffers also disclosed that the robbery had been planned approximately one week in advance, with Wharton identified as its mastermind.

Grant's attorney, Eusi Anderson, argued in court that his client's only involvement was lending his vehicle to his cousin Wharton. Anderson added that Grant was at a popular bar called "Outside" at the time and said CCTV footage would be secured to support that alibi.

Chief Magistrate McLennan, citing the seriousness of the offence and public safety concerns, remanded all five to prison until November 10.

Two Additional Men Charged with Firearms Possession

Two further accused, Collis Heywood and Kevin France, faced separate charges for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Heywood denied two charges alleging that on October 10 in Georgetown he had in his possession a .32 pistol along with 210 matching rounds without holding a valid firearm licence. France denied similar charges, alleged to have been found on the same date at East Ruimveldt in possession of a 9mm pistol and 10 matching rounds without a licence.

Prosecutor Jeffers told the court that both men were arrested in the course of the robbery investigation and the firearms were recovered from their possession. The Chief Magistrate remanded both Heywood and France to prison until November 9.

How the Robbery Unfolded

According to an alleged confession attributed to Wharton, he devised the plan and enlisted Junor — one of the security guards on duty that night — as an inside accomplice. He claimed to have obtained an illegal firearm for Belingie, who used it to hold Junor at gunpoint, and borrowed Grant's vehicle to use as a getaway car.

Wharton reportedly also convinced his friend Stongster, a taxi driver, to participate. Junor arrived for his Sunday afternoon shift and the plan was put into motion at approximately 23:00 hrs.

Shortly after midnight, Wharton, Stongster, and Belingie entered the Kaieteur News premises. Wharton and Stongster went directly to the Accounts Department, where Wharton knew the safe was located, while Belingie kept Junor under armed guard.

Two other employees present at the time — Junior, a 63-year-old security guard, and Little, a 20-year-old graphic designer — were also held at gunpoint and forced to lie on the floor. Both had cash and mobile phones taken from them.

Wharton subsequently told investigators that the group drove to his home in Tucville, opened the safe, and divided the money among themselves, with Junor reportedly receiving a share as well.

The group then burned the clothing worn during the robbery and discarded the emptied safe in a trench at Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Gardens. The firearm from the safe, along with the weapon used during the robbery, was placed in a bag and handed to Heywood.

Recovered Items

Heywood was arrested and the firearm used during the alleged robbery was found in his possession. Further investigation led investigators to France's home in East Ruimveldt, where the firearm and ammunition stolen from Kaieteur News during the robbery were also recovered.

Kaieteur News previously stated on social media that approximately $6 million of the stolen cash had been recovered along with the getaway vehicle, described as a gold Toyota Spacio.

Source: Kaieteur News