By FARRAH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was sentenced to eight months in prison yesterday after he admitted to breaking into another man’s car to steal an assortment of items earlier this year.
Belony Charles, 37, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt after he was accused of causing $130 worth of damage to one of the glass windows of a Suzuki Swift on January 2. The prosecution alleged Charles committed the act to steal a pair of Nike sneakers, a sweater dress, a fanny pack and a black watch, which all had a combined value of $466.
However Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she considered the seven months Charles had already spent in custody and subtracted it from his sentence. This means the defendant will only have to spend one more month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
The court was told officers were on duty in the Saint Alban’s Drive area near a local nightclub, when they heard a car alarm ring off. When they looked in the direction where the sound was coming from, the officers noticed a man running from the car and into nearby bushes. According to the prosecution, while the officers gave chase, they were not successful in apprehending the suspect.
When they returned to the car to investigate, they noticed one of the windows were damaged and a quantity of items had been stolen from the car. They then called for backup from officers attached to the K-9 unit. When they arrived, they warned anyone that may have been hiding in the bushes to come out before they released the dogs. An officer made the announcement three times, but did not get a response. When they turned the K-9s loose, the officers heard someone screaming in the bushes. The defendant was then located and arrested. Officers also made a check of his vehicle, where they found the stolen items.
After listening to the prosecution’s facts, Charles pleaded guilty to stealing and causing damage and was sentenced to eight months in prison.
After sentencing Charles, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt urged him to stop stealing since it did not pay off.
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