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Freeport man accused of 12 counts of housebreaking

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 28-year-old Freeport man accused of a string of housebreaking and stealing incidents in the Freeport and Lucaya areas was arraigned in Grand Bahama yesterday.

Sidney Shermal Hart Jr, of Cove House, Bahama Reef Boulevard, was charged with a total of 12 counts of housebreaking and stealing from homes in the Lucaya and South Bahamia areas. The stolen items are altogether valued at more than $10,000.

Hart appeared in court one before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on six counts.

It is alleged that on December 6, 2018, being concerned together with an unknown person, the accused broke into and entered the home of Urick Butler with intent to steal. It is alleged that Hart stole an Android TV box; a black PlayStation, a blue PlayStation remote, one X-Box console; two black X-Box remotes, a black and blue PlayStation with four headphones; and two gold rings, altogether valued at $2,800.

It is alleged that in December 2018 the accused concerned with another broke into the residence of Beverly Johnson on Inagua Avenue, and stole $495 worth of items, including a black and red air compressor, a router, and a nail gun.

On count three, the accused is alleged to have broken into the residence of Debbie Stone on February 6, and stole a black Kindle, a saw, a grinder, power tree cutter, and $20 cash, altogether valued at $415, the property of Ms Stone.

Hart is also charged with breaking into the residence of Kevin Evans at Woods Rodgers Drive, and stealing a Samsung cellular phone and a Kindle, together valued at $280.

It is further alleged that on February 7, the accused broke into the residence of Theophilus Farquharson and stole a green and black portable generator, a gold Movado watch, a Seiko watch, and a black Vizio 32” television, together valued $1,970.

It is also alleged that on January 29, the accused entered the residence of Bruno Russell of Yorkshire Drive, South Bahamia, and stole a HP laptop, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of peach schnapps, a bottle of Absolut vodka, and $8 in coins, together valued at $855.

Hart was not represented by an attorney and elected for the matters to proceed by summary trial in the Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Magistrate Ferguson told the accused that he was denied bail but that he could apply for bail in the Supreme Court. The matters were adjourned to April 17 at 10am.

The accused was also arraigned in court three before Magistrate Rengin Johnson on another six counts of housebreaking and stealing offences.

It is alleged that on November 28, 2018, Hart being concerned with an unknown person, broke into the home of Stephanie Ferguson, and stole an assortment of jewellery, including a necklace together valued at $7,870.

The accused is also alleged to have entered the residence of Candice Ferguson of Braeman Circle on February 2, and stole a television valued at $250.

Hart is also accused of breaking into a residence on Seahorse Cay on December 12, 2018 and stealing a number of items valued at $975.

It is also alleged that on January 25, the accused entered the residence of Howard Russell at Cove House, and stole an assortment of items valued at $795.

It is alleged that on December 30, 2018, Hart entered another residence and stole a flat 40” television, a Dell desktop, a lapto, and two bottles of wine, altogether valued at $1,225.

Hart is also alleged to have entered a residence in Freeport on January 29, and stole one Samsung tablet and a gold bracelet, together valued at $2,400.

Magistrate Johnson told the accused that bail was referred to the Supreme Court, and adjourned the matters to May 13 and 14.

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