Teen among two remanded for robbing Berbice supermarket 

Two males, including a teenager, have been remanded to prison following charges of robbing a Chinese supermarket in West Coast Berbice on April 9, 2025.

The defendants—a 17-year-old boy and Cleveland Sears, a 24-year-old construction worker from South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown—appeared before Magistrate Michelle Matthias at the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that the teenager and Sears, armed with a knife and a gun, robbed the Sweet Life Supermarket owned by a Chinese national.

Both defendants, who appeared without legal representation, faced joint charges of robbery under arms and pleaded guilty.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Garfield Edwards opposed bail, citing the defendants’ failure to provide proper addresses, which could hinder Police efforts to locate them if necessary.

He emphasised the severity of the crime, particularly the use of a firearm, and insisted that bail should be denied.

Magistrate Matthias ordered a probation report for the teenager, who was remanded to a juvenile holding center, while Sears was remanded to prison.

The two defendants are scheduled to return to court on May 12 for sentencing.

Reports indicate that on the evening of the robbery, around 21:12 hrs, as the supermarket was closing, two masked men, armed with a gun and a knife, stormed in, demanding cash. They made off with $500,000 in cash and $400,000 worth of phone cards.

Following the incident, the matter was reported, and the crime scene was examined. CCTV footage led to the swift arrest of the two men, who were confronted with the evidence and subsequently confessed during video and audio interviews.

Authorities recovered $7,800 along with clothing that matched what was seen in the footage, solidifying the case against them. The suspects have since been charged accordingly.