MONTEGO BAY, St James — Video footage is now the cornerstone of a larceny case before the St James Parish Court, where a Montego Bay man is accused of stealing more than $10,000 from a taxi driver’s vehicle.

Javel Gichie is charged with simple larceny in connection with an incident that reportedly occurred on February 28 near a busy gas station in Montego Bay.

The footage, described in court as a crucial piece of evidence, reportedly shows Gichie entering the complainant’s vehicle.

Gichie, who denies the allegations, is being represented by attorney-at-law Adrian Dayes, who was not present during Wednesday’s proceedings as he was engaged in another court matter outside the parish.

During the proceedings, the clerk of the court told the judge that the prosecution is encountering difficulties in obtaining the video footage.

She told the court that the investigating officer has a copy on his mobile phone and promised that she would serve it to the defence once it is provided to her.

As a result, a new date for case management was requested and subsequently set for July 2. Gichie’s bail was extended.

According to court documents, the taxi operator briefly left his black Toyota Voxy unlocked while stepping away to solicit passengers.

When he returned to the vehicle he discovered that $12,000 in cash left inside had been reduced to $1,650.

The discrepancy prompted the complainant to report the matter to the police, leading to an investigation that culminated in Gichie’s arrest and charge.