By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A TEENAGER who stole a weed whacker from a man was yesterday ordered to complete 50 hours of community service.
Police arrested Mario Davis, 18, after he stole a weed whacker worth $339 from Rudy Miller on January 9. He pleaded guilty to one count each of stealing and conspiracy to commit stealing during a hearing before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday.
The court was told that Mr Miller was doing yard work on the side of the street and rested his weed whacker against a lamppost 20 yards away. The prosecution said shortly afterwards he saw a red vehicle slow down near his weed whacker. A man got out of the car and grabbed the tool before hopping back into his vehicle and driving off. Mr Miller chased the car and tried knocking its rear glass to stop the thief, but he was not successful.
Yesterday, Davis told the magistrate he took the weed whacker because he did not see someone cleaning with it at the time.
Magistrate Forbes told the accused even if he did not know the tool was being used, he should not have moved it since it did not belong to him. He placed Davis on a year’s probation and ordered him to complete 50 hours of community service, and warned him if he did not comply, he would be sentenced to three months behind bars.
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