Two charged for robbery, murders of miners at Arimu Backdam

Days after their accomplices were charged, the two main suspects in the murder of Bartica businessman Mohamed Sheriff aka ‘Zaheer’ made their court appearance.

Teddy Thomas, 44, a taxi driver of Itaballi Landing and Paul James Derrick,  20. a miner of Onderneeming Sandpit, Essequibo Coast appeared at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court before Teriq Mohamed on Tuesday.

They were charged with the offense of murder in the course of furthering to a robbery.

They were not required to plea to the indictable charge and were both remanded to prison until May 15, 2024.

On Monday, Travis Fredericks, 32, and Fernando Fredericks, 28, both miners from Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo were charged with the offense of being an accessory after the fact to the murder of 50-year-old Sheriff, a gold miner of Byderabo Roauyd, Bartica and 26-year-old Washington, a Porter from Lot 11 Seventh Avenue, Bartica.

The News Room understands that the incident occurred at around 10:00 hrs on March 03 after Sheriff, who owns a land dredge operation at the Backdam left the mine with about 102 ounces of raw gold. He was en route to Bartica, with Washington

Joel Stephen, 39, who is the General Manager of Sheriff’s operation, alleged that about five minutes after the men left the camp, several loud explosions which sounded like gunshots, were heard.

Stephen said he went to make checks in the area and about 500 metres away from the camp, he found both men lying in the trail with gunshot injuries about their bodies.

Both of Sheriff’s firearms- a .32 pistol and a 12-gauge shotgun- and the gold were missing. Stephen then made a report to the Bartica Police Station.

Sheriff’s body was later examined and several wounds were seen on his upper right chest, his upper right thigh, his upper right arm and his left upper back.

Washington’s body was examined and wounds were seen on his lower abdomen, left chest, left shoulder, left elbow, right thigh, left thigh, and his back.

The scene was processed and one .32 magazine with eight live matching rounds, seven 9MM spent shells, and three .32 spent shells were found.