KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Jamaica Urban Transit Company Limited (JUTC) is confirming that two of its drivers were recently arrested and charged in connection with the theft of fuel from the State-owned bus company.

JUTC in a statement Thursday, said the recent arrests and charges followed an ongoing investigation into fuel theft from company-operated buses.

It said that on March 17, Shavay Lorenzo Brown, otherwise called “Shabb,” was charged with two counts of simple larceny

“Investigations revealed that in February, Brown allegedly drove a JUTC bus assigned to him to Chesterfield Drive, Kingston, where over 100 litres of fuel were extracted from the vehicle. Law enforcement officers, acting on intelligence, intercepted Brown on March 13, as he was leaving the location of the suspected theft,” said the JUTC.

It said following a formal question-and-answer session, he was charged on March 17, and was subsequently offered bail.

Brown is scheduled to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on April 29.

Similarly, on March 20, Dushaine Orando Brown, otherwise called “Shaine,” was arrested and charged with three counts of simple larceny.

“The charges relate to incidents on February 20, 22, and 23, where Brown allegedly used a JUTC bus under his operation to transport it to locations in Spanish Town, St Catherine, where a total of over 500 litres of fuel were extracted from the vehicle,” said the JUTC.

Following his arrest, Brown participated in a question-and-answer session with investigators, after which he was charged.

He has been offered bail and is scheduled to appear before the St Catherine Parish Court on May 6.

“Both arrests were executed by the Jamaica Constabulary Force which has been working closely with the JUTC to investigate incidents of fuel theft and other unauthorised activities involving company resources,” the JUTC said.

In response to these developments, Shantole Thompson, corporate communications manager at JUTC, stated: “The JUTC takes these matters very seriously, as they represent not only a breach of trust but also financial losses that ultimately impact the efficiency of our operations. We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of accountability and integrity within the company”.