Two Venezuelans charged with robbery, assault

Two Venezuelan nationals have been denied bail after appearing before a High Court Master charged with several offences connected to an attempted armed robbery and assault in Penal earlier this month.

On Monday, 29-year-old Paul Eduardo Valero Padron and 21-year-old Anthony Jesus Jiminez Hernandez, both of Tucupita, Venezuela, appeared before Master Kateisha Ambrose-Persadsingh at the High Court, South. They were charged with two counts of assault with intent to rob, wounding with intent, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm to endanger life, and possession of ammunition to endanger life.

The men were not called upon to plead. Bail was refused pending confirmation of their criminal records from Interpol.

The charges arise from an incident reported on 13th August 2025. Police reported that a 55-year-old forklift operator and taxi driver was transporting a 33-year-old male passenger along Clarke Road, Penal. During the trip, the driver picked up two additional passengers, who were later identified as Padron and Hernandez.

When the vehicle reached the vicinity of the Heritage compound, the driver reported feeling a metal object pressed against the back of his head and was told to “relax.” The driver stopped the vehicle and attempted to flee. One of the assailants, who was armed, intercepted him, leading to a struggle. During the altercation, the driver was shot in his left thigh.

The 33-year-old passenger managed to exit the vehicle and run to safety. The injured driver also escaped and alerted security personnel stationed nearby.

Security officers pursued the suspects and apprehended them some distance away. A Smith & Wesson revolver was recovered. The men and the seized weapon were handed over to officers of the Penal Criminal Investigations Department.

Investigations were subsequently conducted, leading to charges being laid against both men.

The case has been adjourned while authorities await confirmation of the accused men’s backgrounds from international law enforcement.