By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO men appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of committing a recent gunpoint robbery of a pharmacy in the Seagrapes Shopping Plaza.
Dario Musgrove and Vernal Reckley, both 24, were taken before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to face four counts of armed robbery stemming from the incident on Tuesday, May 23.
The two men were first arraigned on armed robbery and receiving charges, crimes allegedly committed the previous day, Monday, May 22.
It is alleged that while armed with a firearm, they robbed Lavardo Anderson of a black Nissan Note valued at $5,000 and an iPhone valued at $800. They are also accused of dishonestly receiving the stolen car.
Concerning the ill-fated robbery at QVS Pharmacy, it is alleged that the pair robbed Melissa Bain of $178 cash belonging to the pharmacy.
They are also alleged to have robbed patrons Patti Hepburn of a pouch containing $3 cash and three bankcards, Lorraine Moss of $200 cash and Jordan Ritchie of a $140 Samsung cellular phone.
On the Monday in question, police responded to the call of a robbery in progress at the pharmacy.
Once on the scene, officers encountered all four men, two of whom were brandishing firearms, police said.
Police gave chase, resulting in the suspects opening fire at officers, police said at the time. Officers returned shots, fatally wounding one of the suspects, a teenager, who was a 10th grade student at R M Bailey High School. Two of the remaining three suspects were caught by officers a short time later.
Musgrove and Reckley, meanwhile, were told that they would not be required to enter a plea to the charges until they are formally arraigned before a Supreme Court judge after the case is transferred by the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment, scheduled for July 6.
Due to the nature of the allegations, the pair were denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial. However, they have the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
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