The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A 34-year-old man was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with robbing a number of persons at gunpoint of more than $7,000 in cash and other items that belonged to various pharmacies, restaurants and a service station in New Providence between May 2017 and February of this year.

John Demeritte, of Golden Gates #2, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson Pratt charged with 12 counts of armed robbery for allegedly being the perpetrator of multiple incidents involving over $7,581.33 belonging to a dozen enterprises.

It is alleged that on May 14, 2017, while being armed with a firearm, he robbed Jyles Carter of $655, the property of Polhemus Drugs on Boyd Road. He is also accused of robbing that individual of the same amount belonging to the same enterprise on January 3.

It is also alleged he robbed Cleopatra Rolle at gunpoint of $200 belonging to Super Wash on Nassau Street on May 19, 2017. It is also alleged that on May 28, 2017, while armed with a shotgun, he robbed Onette Dean of $3,000 in cash, the property of Bet Vegas.

It is further alleged that on January 3, and armed with a firearm, Demeritte robbed Cepetra Demeritte of $621.33 in cash, the property of BJ’s Convenience Store on Carmichael Road.

He also robbed Suana Windross of 10 GSM phone cards worth $50; 10 Talk It Up cards worth $50 and $350 in cash, the property of Monty’s Beauty Supplies Store.

It is also alleged that on May 20, 2017 and January 10, while armed with a firearm, Demeritte robbed both Dianette Dorsette and Corrine Scott of an undetermined amount of cash belonging to the Rubis Service Station on Carmichael Road. He also allegedly robbed Kenva Huyler of an undetermined amount of cash belonging to the Six and Four Restaurant on Carmichael Road on February 12.

Demeritte is also accused of robbing Lashawn Rolle at gunpoint of $300 cash belonging to Kentucky Fried Chicken in Oakes Field on January 13, and robbing Chan Sheung at gunpoint of $300 belonging to Peardale Supermarket on January 17.

He also allegedly robbed Jeffernique Ferguson at gunpoint of $1,500, which belonged to a pharmacy on Carmichael Road.

Demeritte was not required to enter a plea to the charges and the matter was adjourned to April 24 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Before being escorted out of the courtroom, Demeritte’s attorney, Ian Cargill, claimed his client was punched in his stomach and back and forced to sign certain documents while in police custody. Mr Cargill also claimed a plastic bag was placed over his client’s face.

Mr Cargill also claimed his client requested medical attention on numerous occasions, but was denied.

The chief magistrate noted Mr Cargill’s claims before remanding Demeritte to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.