The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO EXUMA men were arraigned in court yesterday in connection with the pre-Labour Day Scotiabank robbery in Long Island.

Hansil Rolle, of Bahama Sound and Deon Watson, of George Town, appeared before Chief Magistrate Roger Gomez facing multiple charges connected to the Stella Maris Scotiabank raid including two charges of armed robbery, three counts of firearm possession with intent to endanger life, and causing damage to the property.

However, before the charges were read to the accused men, Chief Magistrate Gomez told them that they both faced a charge of stealing and receiving.

It is claimed that the pair, on Thursday, May 31, stole and received a $25,000 Boston Whaler boat equipped with a 200hp engine belonging to Steve Harrington.

Rolle and Watson pleaded not guilty to these offences.

The chief magistrate then read the charges concerning the raid.

It is alleged that on the same day, May 31, both men, while armed with a shot gun, held up two employees and robbed them of $7,271.

It is further claimed that three individuals were put in danger by the two men possessing a shotgun.

The accused were not required to enter a plea to these charges. However, they both pleaded not guilty to causing $5,000 in damages to a glass and ceiling work station in the bank.

Chief Magistrate Gomez remanded the men to prison until completion of their trial, which would take place in the Supreme Court.

However, they will be served with Voluntary Bills of Indictment on October 2, which will allow transfer of the case to the higher court.

Before the men were escorted out of court, their attorneys Milton Cox and Michael Kemp made claims of police brutality against their clients and requested they receive medical attention.

The request was granted and the men were escorted out of court to be taken to prison.