KINGSTON, Jamaica — A 26-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, accused of illegally using a woman’s credit card to purchase $291,000 in groceries and appliances.

Ashwan Blackwood is accused of simple larceny in a case where the prosecution explained the female complainant had been taking care of a sick, now deceased, friend up to December 2024, assisting with purchasing groceries.

For ease of access, she added her credit card to a PriceSmart account held by the friend, from which she would make the purchases.

Upon the death of her friend, she reportedly ceased the transactions; however, sometime after, she was alerted to purchases being made from her credit card.

The woman allegedly contacted the PriceSmart team and the police were alerted.

The prosecution alleged that investigators set up a sting operation to catch the person behind the purchases, and a rideshare driver who alleged Blackwood had hired him turned up to collect the items.

The police followed the driver, using the location that Blackwood had allegedly shared with him, to a location where Blackwood was reportedly seen waiting at a gate for the purchases.

When the lawmen made themselves known, Blackwood allegedly told a cop, “Woman, you think call centre money can pall all of my bills?”

Despite an appeal by his attorney, presiding judge Sanchia Burrell refused to release Blackwood on bail pending his criminal record.

He will return to court on September 16.

— Dana Malcolm