ST ANDREW, Jamaica — Four people have been arrested after allegedly attempting to steal nearly $400,000 of material from a Spanish Town Road hardware business.

The accused include 23-year-old Tiara Nelson of Oakwood Avenue, Kingston 20 who works at the establishment.

The other accused are 41-year-old Shelly-Ann Ranger, a security guard of Mammee River district, Gordon Town, St Andrew; 22-year-old Zaheem Grant, a forklift operator of Clifton district, Spanish Town, St Catherine; and 47-year-old Omar Pryce, a welder of North Palm Place, Westchester Portmore, also in St Catherine.

They are charged with simple larceny, two counts of larceny as a servant, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

Reports from the Hunts Bay police are that on Thursday, about 10:45 am, the manager of the hardware store was at work when she was alerted by her senior manager to make checks on a vehicle being loaded by Nelson.

Checks were reportedly made and it was revealed that neither Nelson nor other individuals involved had a receipt for the items being loaded. The stolen goods amounted to approximately $384,315.98.

Lawmen were alerted to the scene and the individuals were subsequently arrested and charged.

Their court dates are being finalised.