MONTEGO BAY, St James — A compelling piece of video evidence has emerged as the linchpin in a larceny case currently before the St James Parish Court, in which a man is accused of stealing more than $10,000 from a taxi driver’s vehicle in broad daylight.

The accused, Montego Bay resident Javel Gichie, is facing a charge of simple larceny resulting from an incident that allegedly occurred on February 28 in the vicinity of a bustling gas station in the western city. Gichie, who maintains his innocence, is being represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Dayes.

According to court documents, the complainant, a local taxi operator, momentarily left his black Toyota Voxy unlocked when he stepped away to solicit passengers. Upon returning, he discovered that $12,000 in cash he had left in the vehicle had been reduced to just $1,650.

After realising the shortfall, the complainant reported the matter to the police, prompting an investigation that led to Gichie’s arrest and subsequent charge.

The prosecution’s case hinges on surveillance footage obtained from a security camera mounted at the petrol station. The video, described in court as a crucial piece of evidence, reportedly shows the defendant entering the complainant’s vehicle.

During court proceedings on Wednesday, presiding judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton was asked by the court clerk to set a case management date to officially secure the video evidence for review. In response, the judge scheduled the case for June 18, allowing time for both the prosecution and defence to obtain and assess the footage.

In the meantime, Gichie’s bail has been extended, and the matter is set to return to court on June 18.