A 12-year-old boy was arrested after he reportedly stole thousands from a neighbour’s house. While the boy’s identity has been withheld due to his age, it was disclosed that he is a resident of Spanish Town, St. Catherine. The minor faces multiple charges, including housebreaking, larceny, and malicious destruction of property. He will make an appearance in the Children’s Court on April 3.
The boy reportedly broke into a residence in his community last month. There were also several valuable items broken and damaged at the property. The home was unoccupied when the boy allegedly broke into it. The owner had, based on police reports, securely locked his house between March 26 and March 31. He left the property unoccupied for days, and when he returned home, he discovered that his house had been burglarized.
According to reports, there were several items missing from the home, including electronics like a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phone, two tablets, a PlayStation console, and a microwave. The home also reported to the police that he had left a sum of $150,000 in cash at his home that was also stolen.
The case takes a turn when it is also revealed that the suspect not only stole from the property but went to extreme lengths to destroy some of his belongings. Several items were burnt outside his home, but the exact items are unclear.
The 12-year-old was arrested as a suspect following an investigation. He was formally charged, and there is currently no mention of bail. The case has captured the attention of some social media users, with some members of the public supporting the legal action. Some also suggested a less severe penalty.
Additionally, some persons sought to point out what they believed to be inconsistencies in Jamaica’s justice system. The arrest has sparked heated discussions on social media, particularly in comparison to another recent case involving an 11-year-old boy accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl. Some online users are questioning why one minor has been charged while the other has not. However, someone sought to educate the online users that under Jamaican law, a child under 12 cannot be held criminally responsible, a fact that some users debated.