The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAGISTRATE is set to determine the fate of a woman who offered to give two women rides to steal money from them.

Police said Anastacia Moree, 41, stole $300 from Ruth Mae Adderley on May 18. They also said the accused pickpocketed $180 from Agnus Gilbert two weeks earlier on May 4.

The court was told that both of the crimes were committed after the accused offered to give the women rides when she saw them walking outside of Marathon Mall.

Prosecutors said the first incident occurred around 3pm near CIBC FirstCarribean’s Marathon Mall branch. The court was told Moree asked Ms Gilbert if she needed a lift. When the woman accepted her ride offer, the accused stole $180 out of her pocket while she was seated in her vehicle.

The court was told that Moree repeated the same scheme in the same area two weeks later when Ms Adderley agreed to “catch a ride” with her. This time, the prosecution said the accused went into the complainant’s bag and stole $300.

After both women reported the matters, Moree was arrested. In an interview with police at the Wulff Road station, she admitted the offences.

Yesterday, Moree pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing when she appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis.

The accused, who has spent time in prison for crimes of a similar nature, said she only stole the money because she was desperate and struggling financially.

She also said she had “come to the realisation” that she has “a problem”.

In response, Magistrate Rolle Davis noted the accused had a “long history” of stealing and forgery and said he would have the Department of Social Services prepare a report to assist the court in determining an appropriate punishment for her.

As a result, he adjourned her case until July 20. Moree was remanded into custody until that time.