Cayman News Service: Carjackers leave ‘weapons’ at Christmas crime scene

(CNS): A screwdriver used to threaten a victim during a car robbery on Christmas night was left at the scene by the assailant and handed to police when the victim reported the crime, a court heard Tuesday. DNA found on the tool led police to charge Gerardo George Connolly with the robbery earlier this year. Connolly was in the dock along with Shane William Junior McLean, who was charged with handling stolen property after police found him in the same stolen car the morning after the robbery.

Prosecutors outlined their case against Connolly and McClain Sophie Quinton Carter The jury was told that the Mazda owner fell asleep after pulling into the Kirk Market parking lot around 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Day when Connolly appeared at his car window, opened the door and stabbed him with a screwdriver, waking him up.

The victim got out of the car and struggled with the robber. During the struggle, the man grabbed the robber’s screwdriver, but as he did so, a woman jumped into the driver’s seat of his car with the keys still in the ignition. The robber yelled at her, “Give me the gun so I can shoot that boy!” Instead, he jumped into the car and the couple drove away. Inside the car were the victim’s clothes, work tools and his cell phone.

The victim reported the case to the police, described the robber’s appearance, and handed over the screwdriver used by the perpetrator.

Hours later, on Christmas morning, police found the stolen Mazda in a vacant lot on Rock Hole Road in Georgetown with its doors open and McLean in the driver’s seat. After his arrest, he claimed Connolly had loaned him the car.

Connolly was arrested and questioned. At first, he would not comment on the police’s questions, but forensic evidence quickly linked Connolly to the screwdriver used in the crime and the stolen car. During a second questioning, he was unable to explain to police how his DNA was on the tool used to threaten the victim, or on the door handle of the stolen Mazda.

Connolly was subsequently charged with robbery and McLean was charged with handling stolen property.

The case, before Acting Judge Kirsty-Ann Gunn, is due to continue this week.