Odella’ Remanded for Theft of $122,000 at Stabroek Market

September 19 2025

A James Street, Albouystown, Georgetown teenager was on Friday remanded to prison after being charged with simple larceny.

Eighteen-year-old Aaron John, called “Odella,” a sex worker, appeared before Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was accused of stealing $122,000 in cash from Leo Persaud at Stabroek Market on September 10.

John pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When questioned by the Magistrate, John claimed he did not know the bag belonged to Persaud.

He told the court that after picking it up, “I saw a man running behind me, so I ran, and as I was running, I got struck by a car. The man came and took back the bag and left me on the ground there.”

John further insisted that he never opened the bag nor took any money from it.

A police officer present told the court that, according to the virtual complainant, John had run off with the bag. The officer said that a week later, Persaud spotted John at the market and pointed him out to police.

The prosecution strongly objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence and concerns that John would not return to court if released.

The prosecutor also told the court that the accused had given police different names on multiple occasions.

In response, John told the Magistrate that he had been in custody since Monday and claimed he was beaten by several police officers while being held at the Stabroek Market outpost.

He further alleged that officers denied him medical attention.

Magistrate Singh raised concerns with the police about John sustaining injuries while in custody.

However, she ultimately refused bail, noting her belief that the teenager would not return to court given the issue of him providing false names.

The case was adjourned to October 3.