‘Coolie-Bap’ charged with murder after alleged motorcycle robbery
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A 24-year-old labourer has been charged after allegedly taking part in a motorbike sale-turned-robbery that left one man dead.
Nicholas Bhalai, otherwise called ‘Coolie-Bap,’ of Ferry district, Kingston 20, has been charged with murder, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition following the incident on the Nelson Mandela Highway on June 11.
Dead is 34-year-old Dominick Grant, a plumber of Cassava Piece Road, Kingston 8.
Reports from the Central Village police are that about 1:00 pm, the now deceased, who was accompanied by a relative, met up with Bhalai and two other men posing as customers at a section of the Highway to sell a 2017 Suzuki motorcycle.
It is reported that upon arrival at the location, Bhalai and the other two men brandished handguns and proceeded to rob the now-deceased of his motorcycle, valued at $500,000, after which they opened gunfire, hitting him all over his body.
Bhalai then allegedly boarded the motorcycle of the deceased and one of the culprits boarded the relative’s motorcycle.
Both men reportedly rode off making good their escape, whilst the third man escaped on foot in the area. The police were alerted, and on their arrival the now deceased was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police say Bhalai was positively identified by an eyewitness last Wednesday. He was subsequently arrested and charged on Wednesday, July 2, after an interview in the presence of his attorney.
A court date is being arranged for him.
