Police arrested a 14-year-old for allegedly breaking into a Greater Portmore resident’s home in St Catherine. The teen is now facing charges of housebreaking and larceny after investigators said CCTV footage placed him at the scene of the incident.
According to reports from the Portmore Police, the incident began when a woman left her home to go to work. Although the house was securely locked, the teen and other unidentified individuals gained access to the residence by forcing the kitchen window open.
Reports say that the suspects first climbed onto the roof of the house and then pried open the window. An assortment of liquor was taken along with a phone that is worth about $100,000. When the homeowner returned and discovered the break-in, the matter was reported to the police. Officers investigated the house, which had a surveillance camera. When they reviewed the footage, the teen was captured on the recording.
The 14-year-old was detained on Tuesday, December 2, when his guardian handed him over to the police. Later, the charges were laid against him after police questioned him in the presence of his attorney. His court dates are expected to be finalised soon. The incident comes at a time when break-ins have risen significantly in the St Catherine South police division, with authorities reporting a 67 per cent increase.
This latest case also follows a separate incident days earlier, when a mob in St Elizabeth killed an alleged burglar. In that situation, the man, identified as Jermaine Davis, was accused of breaking into a home in the Bona Vista Housing Scheme in Myersville on Saturday. Police said the suspect attempted to leave the scene in a black Toyota Voxy, but residents confronted him as he tried to drive away.
According to the police report, a struggle developed, and Davis allegedly brandished a knife. He managed to flee the scene but did not get far before residents attacked him again. He was beaten, set on fire with his car, and left bound with ropes. By the time authorities arrived, he was badly injured but showed little sign of life. However, he was later pronounced dead at the hospital.