A St James man who was captured on camera stealing several iPhones will now have to acclimate to the restricted environment of a police lock-up after being informed that he did not meet the criteria for bail, despite an application by his lawyer Suwayne Phillips.

Robert Lawrence, a 53-year-old higgler of a Flanker address, is charged with shop-breaking and larceny.

During the bail application hearing for Lawrence on Friday, attorney Phillips said that her client was willing to actively participate in mediation talks with the complainant as a step towards resolving the matter.

“Your Honour, my client is minded and agreeable to mediation at this point, and he indicates that he has been in custody since February 17. We know that when you go to mediation you sit and see what you can agree with and what you cannot agree with,” said Phillips.

The prosecution, however, informed the court that investigators had made attempts to locate Lawrence at a site on the same premises where the complainant’s store is located, but said he could not be found at that time.

It was further disclosed that the video recordings captured by the security system were handed over to the Communication Forensics and Cybercrime division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for further analysis. Additionally, the court was informed that the complainant was not on the island.

“Sir, at this time I am told that there is video footage of you and so it swings the pendulum towards a very strong case… Based on information received, they [investigators] went to a particular location to find you and you weren’t seen, and that — in addition to the video footage — makes you not suitable for bail at this time,” Justice Sasha-Marie Smith-Ashley told Lawrence before remanding him until March 26.

According to court records, on January 6 about 10:00 am the complainant received information that his phone store located on Queens Drive in Montego Bay, St James, had been broken into.

A subsequent viewing of video footage from the store’s security camera system showed Lawrence smashing the glass to the front door and stealing more than 14 iPhones valued at a combined $2 million.

It is further alleged that on February 17 police investigators received a tip and carried out a targeted raid at Lawrence’s residence in Flanker. When cautioned by the authorities Lawrence reportedly said, “Officer, mi nuh know what you talking about.”

He was subsequently taken into custody and formally charged.