Cops facing theft charges

Two Police Constables are each on $5,000 bail, after pleading not guilty to a joint charge of theft.{{more}}

Vermont resident, 30-year-old Anthony Charles and 23-year-old Glenroy Pitt of Chapmans Village appeared before the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court, on Monday, August 8, where they pleaded not guilty to stealing $3,600, the property of 52-year-old Andy Bennett of Chateaubelair, on August 6, 2011.

SEARCHLIGHT understands that Bennett, a farmer, was taken into custody on Friday, August 5, with a mixture of Eastern Caribbean and United States currency in his possession.

It is also alleged that the custody officer, along with Bennett, signed in agreement with the total of money taken from him (Bennett).

SEARCHLIGHT understands that when the shift changed next morning, and the money was checked, it was discovered that the money in the custody of the police was less than the amount which had been signed for.

The Criminal Investigations Department was called in, and investigations led to the arrest of Charles and Pitt on Sunday, August 7.

The prosecution, led by Inspector Nigel Butcher, did not object to the men’s bail, but asked the court to have the men surrender their travel documents and that reporting conditions be applied.

In response, lawyer for Pitt, Kay Bacchus-Browne told the court that some of the bail conditions were unnecessary. “It is becoming like a rubber stamp now…,” Bacchus-Browne noted.

Senior Magistrate Donald Browne agreed with Bacchus-Browne’s submissions and only ordered that the men report to the police stations nearest to them.

Charles will report to the Vermont police station, while Pitt will do so at the Colonaire police station every Friday between 6 am and 6 p.m.

The matter was adjourned to November 8, 2011 for hearing.