Tenant allegedly steals wigs

A St James woman who reportedly stole two wigs and approximately $258,000 from her landlady has been ordered to start repaying the complainant ahead of her next appearance.

Davia DaCosta, who is charged with simple larceny, was ordered by Parish Judge Kaysha Grant-Pryce to make restitution when she appeared in the St James Parish Court on Wednesday. The court was told that on February 11, the complainant discovered that money amounting to $108,000, which she had in her bag, was missing. She checked her security camera system, which showed DaCosta, her tenant, removing the money.

It is further alleged that the complainant did a further examination of the system up to a week prior to the incident, and discovered that DaCosta had stolen two wigs and additional monies amounting to $150,000 in cash. After the allegations were outlined, the clerk of the court told Grant-Pryce that the parties were willing to attend mediation to resolve the issue. The matter was subsequently stood down to allow a mediator to meet with DaCosta and the complainant.

When the case was called back up a few minutes later, it was disclosed that DaCosta had agreed to a payment plan to reimburse the complainant.

"I am seeing here where you are supposed to make a first payment to the complainant on March 31. I need you to pay her that money, and I need to ensure you make at least that first payment before I end this matter," Grant-Pryce told DaCosta.

"Make sure she pays you, and give her a receipt saying that she has paid you. If you have not received that money, you come back and let us know," the judge addressed the complainant, before setting the case for continuation on April 4.