After stealing a chain and cash from a prospective buyer, a Wildey landscaper advertised the stolen jewellery for sale online.
Now Jared Rohinho Powlett, 20, of Block 2A, Bottom Close, has been placed on $5000 bail by the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court No. 2 after pleading guilty to stealing a $2000 chain and $900 in cash belonging to Jeremiah Harewood on August 18.
Harewood, a jeweller, saw a chain on Facebook Marketplace that he liked and contacted the accused to ask its price, the court heard. After agreeing to meet, Harewood drove to Pine East-West Boulevard that same night, shortly after 7 p.m., to meet the seller.
Powlett approached and asked to see the money, telling Harewood that people usually ran off with the property.
As they negotiated, Harewood had a chain and cash in his right hand and asked whether he could exchange those articles for the chain Powlett was purporting to sell. The accused suddenly pushed his hand into the car, grabbed Harewood’s cash and chain and ran off.
On Saturday, Harewood saw his chain posted for sale on the same online marketplace. Harewood contacted the seller and agreed to meet near a jewellery store in town before contacting police.
The accused arrived with the chain in his hand, was confronted by police officers and detained. Powlett was identified by the complainant as the man who had previously snatched his chain and money.
Attorney Shadia Simpson, who represents Powlett, urged the court to place her client on a bond, adding that he was willing to pay restitution for the stolen money.
“This is his first blemish with the law, and he is contrite and in accordance with the Penal System Reform Act, alternatives to custodial sentences should be considered,” she said.
Sentencing was delayed. Magistrate Manila Renee granted Powlett bail and instructed him to reappear in court on Wednesday, when the complainant is expected to appear.
(JB)
