Three teenage boys have been arrested over a series of break-ins at the New Amsterdam Market.
Acting New Amsterdam Town Clerk Merlyn Henry made the disclosure, while denying claims in a recent TV broadcast that implicated members of the town’s constabulary in the crimes.
Henry said the boys, between the ages of 14 and 15, had been found hiding in one of the upper-flat stores, Lynette’s Fashion, in the market on Wednesday.
According to Henry, the lads, who would often assist vendors to pack their belongings after the day’s sales, had secured themselves inside the market prior to the gates being locked. She said the teens broke into a fruit stall and ate several watermelons, leaving portions behind.
When municipal ranks discovered the break-in, a report was made at the Central Police Station and armed police arrived on the scene. According to reports, on hearing the police, the boys ran to the upper storey of the building, scaled its walls and climbed to the roof, from where they removed a zinc sheet to gain access to Lynette’s Fashions, owned by Lynette Jack. In the store, it was reported, they allegedly defecated and urinated on several pieces of clothing, causing losses to Jack.
Henry noted that over the past two weeks there has been a spate of burglaries at the market, causing losses to stallholders, including Nezam, a confectionery seller; Nazmoon a grocer; and Tito a watermelon vendor and Karimbaskh and ‘Polo,’ both ground provision vendors.
The teens are expected to appear in court soon.
Henry, in refuting the involvement of members of the constabulary, said the Town Council would not condone any wrongdoing from its staff.
