By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 42-year-old Belize City Council cleaner accused of stealing a galvanized tent frame was offered bail Monday but still ended up at the Belize Central Prison because of outstanding court fines.
Felix Petillo appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate on a single count of theft.
Police allege that on September 9, Petillo stole a galvanized frame belonging to a 20-by-15-foot tent valued at $200 and owned by a woman.
Petillo initially attempted to plead guilty while explaining that he had merely been carrying out his work as a City Council cleaner.
“I neva tek it. I just clean it and put it at the side,” Petillo told the court, maintaining that he had rung the homeowner’s doorbell before leaving the frame nearby.
Because his explanation amounted to a denial of theft, the Senior Magistrate entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
The prosecution objected to bail, pointing to Petillo’s recent theft conviction, but the court nevertheless granted him bail of $1,000 plus one surety in the same amount. One condition is that he not be arrested and charged with another offence while the case is pending.
Petillo, however, also had outstanding court fines and was unable to satisfy the financial requirements needed for his release. He was consequently escorted to the Belize Central Prison.
Petillo was convicted on July 21 of stealing a $50 Truper sledgehammer from a man who had hired him for demolition work in Hattieville. He was fined $305 in that case.
His new theft matter was adjourned to October 26, when disclosure is also expected to be provided.
The post City Council cleaner accused of stealing $200 tent frame lands in prison over old fines appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A 42-year-old Belize City Council cleaner accused of stealing a galvanized tent frame was offered bail Monday but still ended up at the Belize Central Prison because of outstanding court fines. Felix Petillo appeared unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate on a single count of theft. Police allege that on September
The post City Council cleaner accused of stealing $200 tent frame lands in prison over old fines appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
