Irate woman steals $50,000 wig from vendor

A woman who reportedly stole a wig from a vendor, who she claimed owed her some money, was given a new court date on Wednesday when she appeared in the St James Parish Court to answer a charge of simple larceny.

Latoya Owens, who appeared before presiding parish judge Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley, was told to return to court on April 5. She had her bail extended until that date. The court was told that on February 15, about 8:20 p.m., the complainant was selling hair and hair-related products in the vicinity of Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay when Owens confronted her over money that should have been paid over to fix her damaged car.

A quarrel ensued between the two women, and Owens reportedly grabbed a wig, valued at $50,000, from among the complainant's displayed items. The complainant subsequently made a report to the police and Owens was arrested and charged. Under caution, Owens said that the vendor damaged her car but after promising to underwrite the cost of the repairs, failed to keep her promise.

"Officer, she reverse inna mi car and we had a discussion from February 13 to get it checked, and I tell her what is the cost ... this evening I tell her sey the body man said is $6,000 to fix the damage, she a go tell me say she nuh lick my vehicle and mek it gwaan at insurance, so mi vex and grab up the wig," the accused woman told the police.

"Where is the wig today? ... you have it?"Judge Smith-Ashley asked Owens.

"The police have it," Owens replied. Following that revelation, the case was briefly stood down to initiate contact with the complainant, who was not in court. She is to be contacted to canvass mediation to settle the issue between the women.