Self-confessed burglar Theophilus Theo Holder told police he stole money from a supermarket to “fix” his injured hand.
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However, he later used the ill-gotten gains to buy “a pair of Versace sneakers and a Gucci wallet” and pay bills.
These were the facts outlined to the No. 4 Supreme Court when Holder, of Madison Terrace, Deacons Farm, St Michael, reappeared there yesterday.
Armed with knife
He had pleaded guilty to entering Channell Supermarket in Black Rock, St Michael, on April 12, 2023, and stealing $1 498.84 belonging to Channell Enterprises, while armed with a knife.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to unlawfully wounding security guard David Alleyne with intent, but admitted he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Alleyne on the same date.
He was represented by attorney Zaria Taylor, while Senior State Counsel Paul Prescod prosecuted.
Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell adjourned the matter until September 11 when attorneys will make submissions on sentence.
Prescod, who outlined the facts, said it was around 3:15 p.m. when Holder entered the supermarket. He was wearing a pair of black 3/4 jeans, a grey hoodie pulled over his head and a camouflage mask which covered his nose and mouth. He was carrying a knife.
At the time, cashier Emily Devonish was completing a transaction with a customer.
Holder, brandishing the knife, approached her, reached into the till, took out money and ran towards the exit.
The supervisor saw what had occurred and alerted security guard Alleyne, who attempted to intercept the thief.
Holder then struggled with the guard, pushed him onto the nearby SurePay kiosk and made good his escape.
Alleyne’s glasses fell off and he struck the left side of his face onto the glass of the kiosk. He suffered a laceration to the left temple and soft tissue injury to the left side of the neck.
Scampering
The incident sent patrons and staff scampering for their safety.
Police, who investigated, checked the CCTV footage from nearby buildings and it showed Holder running from the supermarket, onto Dodson Land, Black Rock, where he made good his escape.
The footage also showed when he removed the hoodie as he ran along Dodson Land.
Police subsequently arrested Holder at his home.
He later waived his right to an attorney and, during the interview, admitted to the offences.
When asked why he robbed the supermarket, he replied: “To get my hand fix. To get money to get my hand fix. It was injured.”
Apologised
Holder further said: “I buy a pair of shoes, a wallet, a light bill and water bill.”
When taken back to the scene, he apologised for the incident, saying: “I want to say sorry for actually frightening the cashier woman; sorry for going into the cashier; sorry for licking down the guard, you know, nothing else.”
Some of the money, $137, as well as a pair of Versace sneakers and a Gucci wallet which Holder bought with the money, were recovered. (HLE)