By Casey Alecander
Calvert Richards, a 37 years old Calder resident, was hauled before the Kingstown Magistrate Court last Wednesday July 29 to answer to charges that he stole a quantity of items from Massy Stores in Kingstown.
Richards is evidently not a stranger to the justice system as Court records showed that similar charges have been brought against him, several of which are still pending.
This prompted Senior Magistrate Rickie Burnett to urge the unemployed man to put an end to his thievery even as he accepted the defendant’s proffered guilty plea.
The Court learnt that Richards was observed shoplifting at the supermarket on August 9, 2018.
The supermarket’s Chief Security Officer, Miguel Providence, testified that he was monitoring the closed circuit TV feed at about 9 a.m. when he spotted the alleged thief pick up one pack of chicken wings valued $9.80 and two Village Ram energy drinks valued $8.00.
Richards is said to have stuffed the stolen items into a white plastic bag before making his way out of the supermarket while neglecting to pay for them.
Providence then lodged a copy of the incriminating footage as part of his company’s formal complaint with the local constabulary. A conversation with an officer at the Central police precinct in Kingstown revealed that Richards’ shoplifting career was well-known to police. Richards was later arrested and charged.
Richards’ attempt to secure bail was denied given his other unresolved cases in the Marriaqua and Georgetown Magistrate Courts. He was remanded into custody pending the outcome of those trials but was placed on a year’s bond for his August 9 infraction.
If he runs afoul of the conditions he would be ordered to pay $1000.00 forthwith or face a 3-month jail term.