By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
ONE of four cashiers accused of collectively stealing nearly $500,000 from their employer over a two-year period admitted being a part of the scam when her home was searched by police, a court was told.
In 2018, Anthonique Bowleg, Alice Murphy, Bradlisha Bullard and Shalesia Bannister were charged with several fraud related offences concerning $495,325.57 they were accused of stealing from Battery and Tyre Specialists from as far back as 2016.
Prosecutors alleged that Bannister and Bowleg purchased numerous items, such as Michael Kors watches, multiple flat screen televisions as well as jewellery from the David Yurman collection with the money they allegedly obtained illegally.
They said Bowleg stole $111,498.55 by reason of her employment between April 2017 and March 2018 and laundered this money between those dates.
Bowleg is also alleged to have used money that represented the proceeds of her criminal activities to purchase Michael Kors watches, a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses, a Gucci backpack, a Gucci luggage bag and a 42-inch flat screen television, intending to conceal or disguise those items.
When the women appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain three years ago, they denied the allegations.
As a result, the matter was adjourned and transferred to Magistrate Samuel McKinney for trial.
Yesterday when Corporal 3854 Verance gave evidence, she said she went to Battery and Tyre around 4.30pm on the day in question to take the women into custody. She said when she arrived, she searched all of the accused’s vehicles and found $1,315 in Bannister’s car. Cpl Verance said the next day she obtained a warrant and searched the defendants’ homes. The court heard nothing was found in Murphy’s home; however, officers found a Michael Kors handbag, luggage, an assortment of jewellery pieces and a large television at Bowleg’s residence. The officer also said they found $1,338, two 64-inch televisions and a number of luxury jewellery pieces in Bannister’s home.
“After finding these items, Bannister stated she did not want to waste the police’s time and she did in fact steal funds from her employer Battery and Tyre Specialists,” PC Verance said. “Bullard was also present during the search of her home. It was discovered she was the owner of a Hyundai truck she claimed ‘a friend helped her purchase.’
Battery & Tyre manager Darren McCartney was the second witness to take the stand. During his testimony, he said another manager brought some discrepancies to his attention at the time of the incident. He said the two of them then “pulled data” from their points of sales system and “ran some surveillance footage” based on their findings.
Mr McCartney said the footage concerned all of the accused as well as items listed as returned in their system that weren’t present in their inventory.
The case continues today.
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