Man who pulled gun on cop remanded to prison

One of the two suspects accused of pulling guns on a Police corporal before escaping was on Monday remanded to prison. Jason Gonsalves called Jason Brunette, 27, of Lot 59 D’Urban Street, Lodge appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs- Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on June 20, 2021, at Camp and Regent Streets, Georgetown, Brunette had in his possession, a Taurus revolver and five live rounds of ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time.  The defendant pleaded not guilty.

Attorney-at-law Siand Dhurjon asked that Gonslaves be released on bail since he is the sole breadwinner of his family.  The lawyer told the court that on the day of the commissioning of the alleged offence, his client was at home with his family.

According to counsel, after his client became aware of his alleged involvement in the crime he contacted him. The lawyer said that the other suspect in the matter is known to his client because they were previously jointly charged with a similar offence.

He further stated that no identification parade was conducted and that a video circulating does not clearly show who pulled the gun on the cop. He assured that should his client be granted bail, he will abide by all conditions. The Prosecutor, however, objected to bail being granted to the defendant on the basis that he has a pending charge of a similar nature.

The Magistrate remanded him to prison until July 12.

Facts presented by the court prosecutor stated that on the day in question, at around 12:30 hrs, Police ranks acting on information went to the said location where two males were seen standing. As the Police Corporal walked towards the men, they both pulled guns on him.

The police officer took evasive action and discharged three rounds in their direction. One of them ran into Burger King at Regent and Camp Streets, while the other ran west along Regent Street.

The police officer gave chase behind the latter. The suspect, now believed to be Gonsalves, jumped a fence at Guyoil Gas Station. He was however later arrested on Charlotte Street.  When the Police rank returned to Burger King, it was discovered that the other suspect was no longer there.

Acting on information, a search was conducted in Burger King’s kitchen area, and in a garbage bin, a firearm and ammunition were found.  It was shown to the arrested suspect, marked, sealed, and lodged in his presence.  The other suspect is still at large.