Woman steals co-worker’s handbag during earthquake

A call centre worker who admitted to stealing her co-worker's bag as they were evacuating the building during an earthquake, said she did so out of desperation.

"Your Honour, it was an act of desperation. My daughter's father had just stopped working and I was under pressure," the defendant, Roxanne Kelly Lewis, explained.

The reported larceny took place on October 30, the day a 5.6 magnitude earthquake rattled Jamaica, disrupting business operations. Lewis is said to have stolen the complainant's bag that contained two cell phones and US$1,500 (approximately J$229,000). The incident was captured on surveillance footage and the items were recovered in the bathroom of a fast-food restaurant. The complainant shared with Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque that although the phones were recovered, the bag was found in a damaged condition. The money is yet to be accounted for.

"Your Honour, I gave back everything. There was not so much money in the bag," Lewis contended, before making payment of $9,000 for the damaged bag.

Cole-Montaque made an order for Lewis to be fingerprinted and adjourned the matter until January 31, 2024, for the claims about money to be verified. A social enquiry report was also requested by the judge. An order was made for the complainant's phone to be released from police custody.