Colombian National caught with fake GBTI ATM cards charged

[www.inewsguyana.com] – A Colombian national has been charged with six counts of simple larceny related to fake ATM cards.

Forty-three-year-old Freddy Riveria Vargas made his appearance before Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges, one of which alleged that on July 17 at Lethem Central Rupununi, he stole $90,000, from the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The court heard that on the same day at Water Street, Georgetown, he stole cash $80,000 also from GBTI and on July 18 at Water Street, he stole cash $210,000 also from GBTI.

It is further alleged that on July 20 at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, he stole cash $250,000 from GBTI and another $330,000 on July 21 from the same bank.

He is being represented by attorneys at law, Peter Hugh and Latchmie Rahamat. Police prosecutor Dinero Jones informed the court that statements are still outstanding and all investigations should be completed in two weeks.

Defence counsel Hugh asserted that his client was visiting Guyana at the time of his arrest at Princess Hotel. He added that it is the first time Vargas visited Guyana and he is married with two children. The lawyer further noted that his client’s passport is in police custody and as such he posed no flight risk.

Hugh asked the court to consider reasonable bail given the fact that the offence is bailable; however Prosecutor Jones indicated that the defendant has no family nor ties to Guyana and the fact that he was staying at Princess Hotel clearly indicates that he has no fixed place of abode.

It was noted that on the day of his arrest, he was seen by the security guard about to make another withdrawal and the police were also there. He was found with other ATM cards in his possession at the time.

Given the circumstances, bail was refused and the matter was adjourned to August 10.