By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
TWO baggage handlers at Lynden Pindling International Airport denied they stole a government issued revolver and laptop from a Magistrate’s bag when they were arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Edward Poitier, 22, of Third Street, and Leonard Minns, 23, of Melvorne Road, appeared before Magistrate Joyanne Pratt-Ferguson in Court no. 9 to face a charge of stealing by reason of employment.
The alleged victim is Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis of Court No. 5. The goods stolen were valued at $2,300.
It is alleged that the two, on Saturday, September 29, stole a $50 Samsonite bag, reading glasses costing $600, a $400 HP laptop and a $1,250 Smith and Wesson .38 revolver in addition to five live rounds of ammunition, all the property of Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis.
Poitier was separately charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition while Minns was charged with receiving the HP laptop.
Both accused elected to have the matter tried in Magistrate’s Court after pleading not guilty to all of the charges.
The prosecutor did not object to bail. They were each granted $12,000 bail by the Magistrate with conditions applied.
Both men must have two sureties sign the bail bond, surrender their passports to the court, and report to the Grove Police Station twice a week on or before 6pm.
Poitier reports to the station on Tuesdays and Thursdays while Minns goes in on Wednesdays and Fridays.
They will return to court on January 23 and 24, 2013 for trial. Poitier retained lawyer Michael Kemp to defend him. Minns was not represented at yesterday’s arraignment.
Comments
positiveinput 11 years, 6 months ago
That carelss magistrate should be the one before the courts because its his careless actions that allowed a firearm to get in the hands of two individuals. Again unattended baggage would be discarded is what the airport security announces. The report states his bag was left unattended whilst he went to the conveyor belt so if those two airport workers moved a bag from where it was left unattended, basically by airport security rules, they discarded it not stole it. Now with the matter of having an unlicense firearm, his explanation is easy because its certain how he obtain it and simply didn't get to turn it in to the proper authorities before confronted by officers concerning theft, which again by airport security rules, unattended baggage are not subject to be stole, but discard.
KimAra 11 years, 6 months ago
Well, i am here to tell you that my son'a laptop was stolen in the US section and I DO NOT intend to let it go... I am tired of the lawlessness!
positiveinput 11 years, 6 months ago
Seeing that only my comment was post so far I assume the "well, i am here to tell you..." is referred to me, so for being so cocky, stop throwing the blame for your own carelessness on others. To boast your sons laptop was value $3,000 means nothing because me with my $450 yes four hundred and fifty dollar laptop knows that it is valuable enough to wait and collect after I place it down for security screening. Next you'll (us) Bahamians want to drop money in the streets then say somebody stole that also. Its not lawlessness - its you'll being careless. Now still if security had paged you for it then when you return to the checkpoint, they cannot find it anymore, yep somebody stole it but you (your son) give aid in being careless. : )
rosiepi 11 years, 6 months ago
I I cannot believe that any person let alone an officer of the court would be so foolish as to ccarry a loaded firarm onto a planeor that he should be allowed to do so although I assume he used his "status" in order to do what an ordinary citizen could not: get away with such breach of security. Someone should hold him accountable or/and he should resign for putting everyone on that plane at risk because of his careless disregard for public safety.
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