A South Road resident was yesterday sent behind bars after he pleaded guilty to two counts of breaking and entering a city store.
The court heard that between June 4 and 5, at Robb and King streets, Lacytown, Michael Singh of Lot 226 South Road, Lacytown, broke and entered the Country Pride Ice Store and stole a trolley, a trolley wheel and a quantity of ice packs, total value of $46,000, belonging to Butch Parmanand. It also heard that between June 28 and 29, Singh once again targeted the store and carried away a cooler and a Lasco fan, totaling $30,000. Singh pleaded guilty to both of the charges when they were read to him by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones said that on June 4, the virtual complainant secured his store and when he returned the next day, he observed that a door had been broken into. Parmanand then viewed his CCTV security cameras and saw Singh removing the said articles from the store. Jones said the matter was reported to the police and investigations were carried out.
On June 28, Parmanand once again secured his business and left. When he returned in the morning he discovered a hole in the western wall that was 2 to 3 feet in size and several items were missing. The prosecutor said that when the virtual complainant reviewed his CCTV footage he saw Singh removing the items. The police were once again summoned and investigations were carried out. According to Jones, Singh was contacted by the police and he admitted to the officers what he had done.
According to Parmanand, he has been in business since 1982 and Singh had broken into his place four times. He said reports on the other two times have not been filed by the investigating officer since he was unable to do so due to other matters.
Singh, when given a chance to speak, said he stole all the items except the Lasco fan.
The chief magistrate subsequently sentenced Singh to 18 months in prison.
