Man charged for stealing employees’ phones & tablets at Finance Ministry

A man who Police alleges walked into the Ministry of Finance under the pretext of being employed there and stole several items, was on Friday slapped with three counts of simple larceny where he appeared at a city court.

Joseph Harper appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown  Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It is alleged that on June 14, 2019, at the Ministry of Finance, 49 Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown he stole a Samsung phone valued at $100,000, property of Anuradha Persaud.

It is further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he stole two Samsung tablets valued at $75,000, property of Eleeni Komal

The Police prosecutor said that on June 14, 2019, Harper, who was neatly dressed, entered the Ministry of Finance’s compound as though he was working there.

He then entered the building and picked up the items that were on the virtual complainants’ desks before making good his escape.

Upon discovering that the items were missing, the employees raised an alarm. They then reviewed CCTV footage and observed Harper entering the compound, loitering and thereafter leaving.

A report was made to the Police and an investigation was launched. The defendant was later arrested, told of the allegation, and cautioned.  The prosecutor told the court that Harper admitted to selling the items.

Further investigations were conducted and legal advice was sought in the matter. The Magistrate remanded Harper to prison until March 18, 2022.