‘Known character’ ran into arms of cop after snatching US Officer’s purse

Alvin Archer, a 28-year-old known character to police, was remanded to prison on Wednesday for allegedly snatching the purse of a United States Coast Guard.

Archer of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, and pleaded not guilty to the simple larceny charge.

It is alleged that on June 20, 2021, at Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole from Melissa Owens a brown purse valued at $8,000, an Apple iPhone 11 valued at $250,000, and $9,200 in cash.

The court heard that Owens is a Military Officer with the United States Coast Guard and is in Guyana on a training exercise.

It is alleged that on the day in question, at around 10:30hrs, Owens, along with two colleagues, were walking along Croal Street when Archer grabbed her purse and ran away. The victim and her colleagues gave chase and Archer managed to ran right into the arms of a police officer who was on foot patrol along the Avenue of the Republic.

Owens’ purse was recovered and Archer was taken to the Brickdam Police Station and charged.

The court prosecutor objected to Archer being released on bail on the grounds that he is a repeat offender and is currently before the courts on similar charges.

The Chief Magistrate remanded him to prison until July 7, 2021.

In March, Archer appeared before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court twice on similar charges. In 2017, he was among 57 prisoners granted early release from the Camp Street Prison based on good behaviour.