Three men who stole $4 million worth of items from Linstead store get prison time

Three men who pleaded guilty to breaking into a Linstead, St Catherine store and stole items valued at $4,000,000 were today each sentenced to several months in prison.

Jason Mathews, 36, unemployed, 31-year-old bus conductor Kemar Foster, and driver Junior Morris, 45, all of Kingston addresses, were charged with shop breaking and larceny.

In appealing for leniency, their attorney Kemoy McEkron told the court that the men suffered severe injuries linked to the ordeal and that they pleaded guilty at the earliest possible time.

He further told the court that the men were remorseful and that despite previous convictions they were not beyond redemption.

Parish Court Judge Kahon Lamey then sentenced Mathews and Foster to eight months and 28 days' imprisonment, while Morris was given to five months and 28 days' imprisonment.  

The court heard that on November 21,2023, the complainant locked up her store in Linstead, St Catherine.

About 3:20 a.m., on November 22, the accused men gained unlawful entry into the business by cutting off the padlocks to the premises.

They then stole a quantity of shoes and clothing valued at $4,000,000, and drove away from the scene.

The matter was reported to the police and the hoodlums were spotted by a police party entering the North South Highway, towards the direction of St Ann.

The car was pursued and upon reaching Golden Grove they opened fire at the police.

A gun battle ensued and the men later exited the car with the loot still firing at the cops.

During the exchange, two of the men were hit and one of them was arrested at the scene.

The other men ran into bushes but were later held by the police.

All three were subsequently charged.

- Rasbert Turner

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