Accused pickpocket blames ‘careless’ shoppers for flourishing career
PERSONS in court yesterday erupted in laughter after it was heard that an alleged pickpocket told the police that “careless people lef dem pocket careless mek people pick dem”, after he was accused of picking a man’s wallet with $20,000.Related story: All thieves want this Christmas is your BlackBerry
The 38-year-old accused, tiler Karl Miller of Tavares Gardens in Kingston, was arrested and charged on December 15 following an incident at the intersection of Harbour and King streets in downtown Kingston, where he allegedly stole the man’s wallet.
Miller was reportedly held by the police at the scene of the reported theft after the complainant described him.
He was reportedly searched and was found with $3,450, US$12 and Can $5 but told the police that it was money that he had gotten from his sister, after their brother, who is overseas, sent money for her.
When he was cautioned about stealing the man’s wallet, he said, “a from week mi deh yah a pick pocket; careless people lef dem pocket careless mek people pick dem”.
However, his attorney Pearline Dove denied that he had said those words to the police when they appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court. The lawyer also denied that Miller had stolen the complainant’s wallet with his cash.
The lawyer then attempted to make a bail application for her client saying that he had one previous conviction but Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey stopped her in her tracks and asked the suspect if he goes by another name.
Miller then told the magistrate that years ago he had used the name ‘Ezroy Stanley’ when he was involved in a fraud matter for which he was convicted.
The judge then asked the lawyer if she had been aware of that and she replied, “No”.
“I have never tried this man before but I know that he had been before the court and I can tell just by looking at him. If I quizzed him today I am sure he would tell me about more of the crimes for which he has been convicted,” Pusey said.
“He is not getting any bail until next year,” she added.
Miller was then remanded into custody until January 5.
