A 19-year-old Rockies man has been ordered to work with a businessman to pay compensation for burglarising his business and stealing a cash register containing cash.
However, before doing so, the man, Zimron Cupid, will spend seven months in prison as Senior Magistrate Tamika McKenzie activated a suspended prison term in light of Cupid’s latest crime.
Cupid pleaded guilty to a charge that on June 16, he entered Ranjhomae Bakery – commonly known as Randy’s Bakery — at Stoney Grounds as a trespasser and stole one Casio cash register, valued at EC$3,500, containing EC$90 in cash, the property of the bakery.
Vandike Rodgers, of Arnos Vale, was also charged with entering the bakery on June 16 as a trespasser and stealing one Casio cash register valued at EC$4,000, EC$35 in cash and a quantity of soda valued at EC$82.50, total value EC$4,117.50, the property of Randy’s Bakery.
However, for the second time, the magistrate committed Rodgers to the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre for an evaluation, as the first report the court had ordered had not been presented.
Randy Kennedy, the owner of the bakery, was present at the sentencing and informed the court that he has land that Cupid can cultivate to gain money to pay compensation. Kennedy said that housing could also be provided for Cupid.
The facts, as presented by the prosecutor, Corporal of Police 817 Stapleton, are that on June 15, about 7 p.m., Maimai Williams, the assistant manager at Randy’s Bakery, secured the business place and left.
The next day, she received a telephone call from the manager informing her that the bakery had been burglarised and two cash registers and a quantity of soda were missing.
Williams went to the bakery, then reported the matter to the police.
Police Constable 109 Ballah visited as part of his investigation. While reviewing the CCTV footage, Ballah identified Cupid as a suspect.
Ballah found Cupid and informed him of the report against him and took him into custody.
When Cupid was shown the footage, he admitted to the offence and identified the other suspect as “Vandike”.
Ballah found Rodgers and informed him of the report made against him but Rodgers denied knowledge of the burglary.
Cupid then led Ballah to Stoney Ground and pointed out the location of the cash register.
Cupid also gave Ballah the white vest and short pants that he wore on the night of the burglary.
McKenzie sentenced Cupid to 19 months in prison, suspended for two and a half years.
She also ordered Cupid to report to the court after serving the seven-month prison sentence.
Additionally, after being released from prison, Cupid will have to work for Kennedy for three months or by May 5, 2027, to pay compensation for the cash register and the stolen cash.
If Cupid defaults, he will serve one year in prison.
Kennedy is to report to the court on May 7, 2027, to give an update.