Yesterday we told you about the brazen home invasion - slash - aggravated burglary at a Chinese store in the Lake I community that quickly turned into a hostage situation. It was a unique scenario where the police commissioner had to personally intervene. He stepped on the frontline to negotiate with the accused who eventually surrendered and were detained.
Today the trio was formally arraigned on a slew of charges. They are 26 year old Richard O'Neal, 25 year old Wayne Welch, and 25 year old Steven Bernard; all are from within the Lake I community. They are being charged jointly for 1 count of aggravated burglary, 1 count of wounding upon Rong Bin Liang, 1 count of harm upon Hefu Rong Liang, 1 count of aggravated assault upon Chester Williams, 1 count of aggravated assault upon Christopher Martinez and 1 count of aggravated assault upon Theodore Lopez. All three are also being charged for 1 count of kept firearm without a gun license and 1 count of kept ammunition without a gun license.
When they appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser, they pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were denied bail and remanded into custody until March 13. The police reported that they found a bag containing $670 that was on the verandah of the building. They police also reported that the following day they found one Glock 9 millmeter pistol with 17 round of ammunition in its magazine, which one of the culprits had. The gun, said the police, was stolen from 64 year old Charles Gonzalez, a construction worker of 972 Mangrove Street. Gonzalez reported to the police that around 8 p.m. on August 2, 2017, he was at the corner of Ebony Street and Youth For The Future Drive when he was approached by three men of Hispanic descent. He said one of the men pointed what appeared to be a firearm at him and they stole his Glock 9, his gold chain and his gold bracelet and his silver bangles.
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