Man caught stealing $600,000 from car

A man who broke into a car and stole $600,000 is expected to know his fate next week.

Jermaine Ashley pleaded guilty to malicious destruction of property and simple larceny when he appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday. It is reported that on March 11, the complainant parked his motor vehicle in the Harbour View Shopping Centre and went to purchase items in the supermarket. The court heard that Ashley broke the front passenger window, gained entry to the car and stole $600,000 in cash. Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague told Ashley that he would have to return the money.

"The complainant said you broke the window. Where is the money, Sir? I want you to the return the $600,000," the judge told Ashley.

"I gave back the money to the police at the station, Your Honour. The full amount," Ashley said. The clerk of court reported that checks would have to be made as to whether the money was returned. Cole-Montague said she had taken note of Ashley's social inquiry report, and has considered the probation officer's recommendation that he could benefit from leniency.

First offence

"At 19 years old, I think this is your first offence and you are certainly not the worst of the worst and you are really not good at it, considering that you get caught so quick. But before I can sentence you, I need to have some confirmation of what you just said that the monies have been recovered. How long have you been in custody?" Crooks asked.

Ashley replied that he has been in custody for two months. He is expected to return to court on June 15 for sentencing.