An Omai worker was on Friday released on $100,000 bail after he accused police of falsely implicating him in the theft of a motorbike.
It is alleged that between 10pm on June 22nd and 10am on June 23rd, Lester Hopkinson stole a Honda motorbike, valued $750,000, from David Troyer at Alexander Street, Kitty.
Hopkinson, 20, of 79 William Street, Kitty, was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which was read to him in a city court.
Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the complainant, Troyer, had secured his motorbike before leaving his home and returned to find that it was gone. Jones stated that Troyer then reported the missing motorbike to the police, who later apprehended Hopkinson.
The court heard that Hopkinson was seen with the motorbike acting in a suspicious manner and when confronted had admitted to the crime.
Hopkinson disputed the claims made by the police and stated that at the time he was picked up he was at a food establishment in Kitty with his sister.
Hopkinson further explained that while the two were there eating, a police van pulled up and the officers made inquiries about a bike that was parked at a nearby stand. The accused stated that even though he denied knowledge about the bike, he was still taken into custody by the police, who pinned the crime on him.
Magistrate Ann McLennan, who presided over the arraignment, placed Hopkinson on $100,000 bail and adjourned the matter to October 12th for statements.
