Man charged with theft of roofing tiles denied bail
A former employee of Tropical Metal Products Limited, who is accused of stealing $3 million worth of roofing tiles from the company, was on Friday denied bail in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Thirty-seven-year-old Andrew Powell, a fabricator of West Cumberland in St Catherine, was remanded into custody after Magistrate Stephanie Haisley Jackson rejected his bail application because his case file was not completed. He has been in custody since April 16.
Powell, who is charged with warehouse breaking, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy, is scheduled to renew his bail application in court on Wednesday.
According to the police, on April 15 the complainant — who is the owner of Tropical Metal Products Limited — visited his businessplace and discovered that it had been broken into. The complainant reportedly made checks and found that a large quantity of metal roofing tiles were missing.
The matter was reported to the police and following investigation the stolen tiles were reportedly found at the home of an individual who is now a witness for the crown.
The court heard on Friday that the accused had asked the witness to deliver the goods at a location in West Cumberland, but he took it home after he went to the location and did not find anyone and could not get back in touch with the accused.
However, Powell’s attorney denied the allegation, stating that his client was not involved in any illegal activity and he has an alibi.
— TANESHA MUNDLE