MONTEGO BAY, St James — An alleged thief who was stopped in his tracks by a mop-stick-wielding senior citizen is now in custody, waiting for his next court date.

Terrence Smith appeared in the St James Parish Court before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hilton on Wednesday to answer to a charge of larceny from a dwelling.

The court heard that about 4:50 pm on April 23, the complainant was at home in Norwood, St James, when she heard a sound coming from outside her yard. Concerned by the noise, she went to investigate, but did not observe anything unusual. After she went back inside, she made her way to the back room where she encountered Smith, who is her neighbour.

According to the evidence presented, Smith beckoned to her and instructed, “Come here!” The complainant, however, told him no and ran away.

The allegations are that the complainant returned to the back room shortly after to check whether Smith had left. She allegedly saw him rifling through her mother’s purse and he again beckoned to her, making comments which made her afraid. She then saw Smith take money from her mother’s purse and run from the premises, the court was told.

Upon reaching the verandah, the complainant reportedly encountered an elderly neighbour who intervened, using a mop stick to ward off Smith and prevent him from approaching further. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, after which Smith was arrested and charged.

During Wednesday’s court sitting, attorney Chumu Paris indicated that he had been approached to represent the accused. The clerk of court also noted that the eyewitness statement in the matter remained outstanding at the time of the hearing. The matter was then set for mention on June 24, with Smith remanded in custody until that date to facilitate finalisation of his legal representation.