Man charged in deadly motorcycle sale robbery on Mandela Highway

Twenty-four-year-old Nicholas Bhalai, otherwise called ‘Coolie-Bap,’ was on Wednesday charged in connection with the shooting death and robbery of a man he met for the sale of the man's motorcycle along the Mandela Highway.

Bhalai, a labourer of Ferry, St Catherine, is charged with murder, robbery with aggravation, possession of a prohibited weapon, and illegal possession of ammunition.

A court date is currently being arranged.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 11.

Killed was 34-year-old Dominick Grant, a plumber of Cassava Piece Road, St Andrew.

According to reports from the Central Village police, at around 1:00 p.m., Grant, who was accompanied by a relative, met with Bhalai and two other men posing as prospective buyers at a section of the highway to sell a 2017 Suzuki motorcycle.

Upon arrival, the three men reportedly brandished handguns and robbed Grant of the motorcycle, valued at $500,000.

They then opened fire, hitting him multiple times.

Police say Bhalai subsequently fled the scene on the stolen motorcycle, while one accomplice took the relative’s motorcycle.

The third suspect escaped on foot.

The police were alerted, and upon arrival, Grant was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

On June 30, Bhalai was positively identified by an eyewitness, according to the police.

He was arrested and charged on Wednesday, July 2, following an interview conducted in the presence of his attorney.

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