KINGSTON, Jamaica – What was initially a routine task of transporting restaurant appliances turned into a legal ordeal for a truck driver and a chef.

Wayne White and Franscios Brewster found themselves charged with simple larceny and appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

The Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court was informed that Brewster had hired White to transport his restaurant appliances from the building where he operated his restaurant. This move was prompted by the building owner’s request for Brewster to cease his business operations there.

When the items were securely placed in the truck, Brewster reportedly took up several pieces of lumber from a neighbour’s property, valued at $80,000, where construction work was underway.

However, the suspicious behavior of the men caught the attention of a resident who promptly alerted the police. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene and arrested both White and Brewster.

Brewster faced charges related to the lumber he had taken, while White was charged with the supposed theft of a stove. Initially, it was believed that the stove belonged to the owner of the lumber. However, it was later confirmed that the White Samsung four-burner gas stove actually belonged to Brewster, who provided the police with a receipt as proof of ownership.

As such the Crown dropped the charge against White. Additionally, presiding judge Carlo Mason made an order for White’s truck to be released from evidence.

Consequently, the charges against White were dropped. Judge Carlo Mason also ordered the release of White’s truck from evidence.

Thank you, Your Honour,” a relieved White said, before leaving.

Asking Brewster what the reason behind taking the boards were, judge Mason learned that the man took the materials because he wanted the boards to “build his own shop.” He added that he only took “some of them.”

During the proceedings, Judge Mason questioned Brewster about the reason behind taking the lumber. Brewster explained that he had taken the materials to build his own shop and admitted to taking only “some of them.”

The judge reprimanded Brewster for involving White in the matter. Brewster was instructed to return to court on November 7 for sentencing.