Travis Payne, a 26-year-old clothes vendor was on Monday remanded to prison by City Magistrate Sherdel Isccas-Marcus on eight armed robbery charges, discharging a loaded firearm and one charge of escaping Police custody.
Payne of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plea to the ten indictable charges.
The first charge alleged that on July 19, 2018, at West Ruimveldt, Payne while being armed with a gun robbed Ramnarine of a $10,000 BLU cell phone along with other items totalling $26,000.
The second charged alleged that on October 10, 2018, at West Ruimveldt, Payne while being armed with a knife robbed Mohammed Ishmel of a $40,000 cell phone.
The third alleged that on October 11, 2018, at East Ruimveldt Police Station, Payne while being in custody for armed robbery, escaped.
The fourth alleged that on November 26, 2018, at North East La Penitence, Payne while being armed with a gun, robbed Collin Edwards of two gold chains worth $202,000 along with a $160,000 cell phone.
The fifth charge state that Payne on January 3, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a gun, robbed Randy Simon of $90,000 cash.
It is further alleged that on January 21, 2019, at Castello Housing Scheme, Parks while being armed with a gun robbed Angela of a handbag and a quantity of personal hygiene products valued $13,500.
The seventh charge alleged that on January 29, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, Payne while being armed with a gun robbed Michael Agrippa of a cell phone along with other items totalling $522,000.
The eighth charge alleged that on January 30, 2019, at Kitty, Georgetown, Payne while being armed with a gun, robbed Terrence Park of a cell phone and cash totalling $12,000.
It ninth charge alleged that on the same day and location, Payne while being armed with a gun, robbed Ronaldo Etwaroo of a $6,000 cell phone and $1,800.
The last charge alleged that Payne, while being armed with a gun on May 23, 2019 at Tucville, Georgetown, discharged a loaded firearm at Roxcel Neipaul, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause her grievous bodily harm.
The unrepresented man told the court that he was released from prison in December 2017 after serving a 37-month sentence for a gun and ammunition charge.
Payne also told the court that he was beaten by the Police when arrested at the Kitty Seawalls recently.
In court, the accused lifted his shirt and told the Magistrate that he had internal bleeding due to the alleged beating he sustained at the hands of the police.
Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris opposed to Payne being released on bail citing the seriousness of the charges along with the penalty it attracts.
According to Harris, Payne was positively identified by the victims in each matter.
The Prosecutor also explained that in relation to the cellphone which was stolen from Michael Agrippa, it was traced back to a man who told the Police that he bought it from Payne.
Magistrate Isccas-Marcus remanded Payne to prison until July 15.
Payne is also expected to be placed before the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court soon and charged for two firearm-related offences and other robbery charges.
