Sebastien gets 20 years for FirstBank robbery, fears reprisals if he squeals on cronies
BVI News - Wednesday, March 20th, 2013 at 1:00 PM
High Court Judge Justice Albert Redhead today handed down a 20-year prison sentence to confessed bank robber Royden Sebastien.
The Belmont resident, on March 5 this year, pleaded guilty to charges arising from the robbery of $31,627 at FirstBank on July 26, 2010.
The court was informed that he acted along with at least two other men who law enforcers are yet to apprehend.
Prosecutors have presented finger print analysis and DNA samples that place Sebastien in the grey SUV which was used by the robbers. Samples were also collected from a bag that the robbers left in the bank.
In court today, Sebastien apologized for his involvement in the crime, and his mother pleaded implored the judge to be lenient.
Justice Redhead was however in a no-nonsense mood as he questioned whether Sebastien’s words of remorse were genuine.
He asked why the confessed robber has not given the name of his accomplices to the police if he is indeed sorry for the crime.
Sebastian responded that he has opted to remain quiet about his cronies because he fears for his life, and would not like to see his relatives attacked.
SEE EARLIER STORY
March 5, 2013 – Justice Albert Redhead is to sentence Belmont resident Royden Sebastien following his guilty plea in the High Court here on Tortola this morning.
Sebastien, along with at least two other unknown men, had robbed FirstBank of some $31,627 on July 26, 2010.
Prosecutors presented finger print analysis and DNA samples that place Sebastien in the grey SUV which was used by the robbers. Samples were also collected from a bag that the robbers left in the bank.
On an earlier court appearance, the prosecution told the court that patrons were in FirstBank doing business on July 26, 2010.
The Assistant Manager heard a loud noise and looked up to see three masked men with what appeared to have been rifles in their hands. They were telling persons to get on the ground.
Two of the men jumped over the counter and demanded money from the tellers.
They were described as having height of 5’5 and being medium built. The third perpetrator was described as having a height of six feet.
One of the men was wearing a yellow pants and orange T-shirt while the other two were dressed in navy blue pants and white T-shirts.
All three of them were said to be wearing masks built from T-shirt materials.
During the robbery, the bank’s Assistant Manager went to the back of the facility and pushed the panic button which activated an alarm at the fire station.
Personnel at the Fire Station then contacted the police who went to the scene.
The bank’s Assistant Manager told law-enforcers that she had seen a grey-coloured SUV parked in front of the bank close to the main entrance.
The police conducted a number of searches for the vehicle described.
A vehicle matching the description was found abandoned on Macnamara Hill Road, with the right wheel deflated.
A black and purple mask was also found on the center console.
On the same day, a resident of Romney Park made a report that his grey four-door Suzuki jeep was missing.
On July 28, 2010 the police met Sebastien and cautioned him about reports made of the robbery.
In an informal interview, Sebastien allegedly told the police that he was surprise the police did not come the same day because “he usually gets accused for these things.”
Sebastien further stated that, on the day in question, he went to play basketball in Purcell and was later hanging out by the steps at McKellys.
On July 30, 2010 he was arrested for suspicion of robbery, but he was released pending further investigation.
On January 20 this year, Sebastien was again arrested and later charged.
He is still in custody awaiting his sentence.
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10 Comments
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I am not a fan of stealing. But what puzzles me more is that there is a bigger theft going on in Cyprus Germany where people’s savings are being looted to bail out insolvent banks and BVI news has not mentioned or posted any articles. Here we have a person being locked up for $10,000.00 and the real is right now banks are stealing Trillions of dollars and not one head of these banks have been rolled in America, Britain and Europe. I now understand why the people must continue to be misinformed, since people would pull their money out of these corrupt banks in droves. Right now the people in Cyprus cannot even get their money from their banks and when they do get it, it may be 10-15% less. The easiest way to rob a bank is to own one, for no one watches the theft which is done from the inside everyday. Banks lend out money they are to be keeping for account holders and no one calls that theft, matter of fact they sugarcoat it and call them loans. Politicians borrow money without conscience and tell the people it is their debt. Banks steal people money only to lend it back to them with interest. Funny part is Sebastien stole money which was already stolen from someones bank account, loaned to someone else at interest, and insured to double cover the amount. A worthless piece of paper which is not backed by anything he has to spend 20yrs of his life in jail for, all because he, just like many others, does not know the difference between currency and money. Them two who many believe got away are either going to continue to be ignorant and be caught or stop playing this game of theft they know nothing about. Really sad!
20 years for approximately $10,000. Doesn’t seem woorth it to me. He should’ve turned his accomplices in for a reduced sentence. There’s no honor in paying for the actions of others. Sure hope these friends he’s protecting visit him every week in jail and take care of his family for the next 20.
look if anybody decide to ROB A BANK they FULLY WELL KNOW the consequences. He didn’t expect to get caught… everybody sorry when they get catch. If u cheat on your partner n they find out you does say I SORRY, get catch shoplifting, I SORRY…forget to do something somebody asked you to do..I SORRY.
saying sorry doesn’t fix anything
SOUND TO ME LIKE HE WAS SET UP SOMEONE HAD TO TAKE THE WRAP AND ITS U ON THE SECOND DAY IS HE THEY COME LOOKING FOR I SMELL A RAT
setup and found dna? set up and plea guilty? please.
This is a sad story bcause two more robbers and possibly killers out there. I would give him 30 more
how come the black one who rob the same bank recently aint get locked up yet?
who da?
Too bade does not have the same friends as Pope
At least the police break a case – CHEERS
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