Jamaica: Teenager arrested for committing robbery, netizens raise concern

St Elizabeth, Jamaica: A 19-year-old was charged with the offence of housebreaking and larceny at a store in Mandeville, Manchester on Thursday, March 28. The authorities took swift action against him upon viewing the CCTV footage as evidence. 

The suspect has been identified as Jovian Beckford, a resident of Mount Prospect district in St Elizabeth. As per the reports, the suspect removed the front window of the business place to gain access to the store.

Subsequently, he moved ahead to ransack the place. During that period, he first drank juices from the fridge placed in the store, which was worth $500. Later, he stole $1200 from the cash register before escaping the store.

The authorities were informed about the robbery and they conducted a thorough investigation into the matter in order to find the mastermind behind the offence.

The investigating officers made a report, saw the CCTV footage, and arrested Beckford for the offence of housebreaking and larceny. He reportedly confessed to the crime that occurred by him and was charged on 3rd April for the same.

His date to appear in the court has been finalised and he will have to appear before the magistrate to answer for the offence he committed. Several residents of the community took to their social media accounts and expressed their different views and opinions on the matter. They raised their concern over the increasing crime activities among youngsters and have requested the authorities to take serious measures in order to prevent youth from indulging in such criminal activities.

They have also requested the administration to conduct workshops and counselling sessions for the youth so that they could lead a good life and improve their problem-solving abilities.

One person commented “This youngster needs far more than help. Trust me, at the time of committing the act, this youth can't be in his rightful mind.”

Another person commented the following “What he did was wrong, however, I am hoping someone in his community, even the owner of the store he robbed, could offer him a job as it seems like he was hungry. My gut feeling tells me that with guidance he can be saved.”