Two alleged robbers due in Antigua court this week

Two men from Antigua are scheduled to appear in court this week after they were arrested and charged with robbert.

Koeci Francis, 21 and also known as “Koko”, was arrested and charged on Thursday for allegedly robbing a fellow villager.

The Swetes resident is accused of stealing a mobile phone and money from a 16-year-old after holding them at gunpoint.

According to police, the incident happened around 11.45pm.

“The young man was reportedly walking along the road in the vicinity of the Cana Moravian Church in Swetes, when a white van drove alongside him and stopped. Two men exited the vehicle; one allegedly armed with a gun, while his accomplice was brandishing a cutlass,” said the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

“The cutlass bandit then proceeded to rob the young teen of his phone and money. An investigation was launched into the matter and Francis was fingered as one of the suspects involved. He was arrested and taken into custody.”

‘Beaten and robbed’

In a similar but separate incident, 23—year-old Javier Browne, of Bolans, is accused of robbing a Gray's Farm man of his mobile phone, two credit cards and an undisclosed sum of money.

The alleged incident took on Potters Main road in the vicinity of the old Dairy Factory around 1am on 26 May

The Grays Farm resident reported that he was walking along the road when a silver Toyota Noah Van pulled alongside him and stopped, police said.

“Two men alighted from the vehicle armed with guns and forced him inside the vehicle. They then drove to a remote area in Cassada Gardens, where the perpetrators allegedly beat and robbed him,” they added.

“Investigations into the matter later identified Browne as one of the key suspects involved in the robbery.

“He was arrested and taken into custody.”

Following the two episodes, police are appealing to residents to exercise caution, especially when travelling remote or poorly lit areas at night.

Officers are also urging people to report any suspicious activities to the police without delay.

Anyone with further information on these or any other crimes is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Department by telephoning 462-3913\462-3914.