Addict jailed for robbery, theft after failed attempt to flee scene of crime

A daring daylight robbery was foiled on Tuesday when the fleeing perpetrator collided with a vehicle and lost the $27 he had taken during the heist.

Now, Ruben Decoursey Jordan, of Stuarts Land, Bush Hall, St Michael, will spend the next three years at Her Majesty’s Dodds Prison.

That sentence was imposed on him for entering Doreen’s Shop as a trespasser on June 16, and stealing the cash belonging to Doreen Prosper.

He was also slapped with an 18-month prison term for stealing two bicycles worth $800 belonging to Daniel David Howell, between June 14 and 15. That sentence will run consecutively to the first.

According to the facts of the robbery case, Prosper was sitting behind the counter around 4:30 p.m. when Jordan entered her shop, with his right hand in his pocket, and shouted, “Gimme de money!”

The woman quickly ran out and shouted for a man by the name of Elvis, who was nearby, informing him of what was going on.

Sergeant Edwin Pinder told the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court that Elvis ran from the back yard and shouted at Jordan who was behind the counter.

Jordan jumped over the counter on seeing Elvis, ran out of the shop and hopped on a bicycle and rode away.

Elvis continued his chase as Jordan rode down Spooner’s Hill, St Michael. But the robber’s attempt at escape came to an abrupt halt when he collided with a vehicle and was caught by Elvis and another man. He was escorted back to the shop and police were called.

During the police investigation, Jordan admitted that he removed a container with the money but said it scattered on the road when he collided with the car. It was not recovered.

In the case of the theft of the bicycles, the owner, Howell, had placed them in his secured yard on June 14 but when he made a check early the next morning, he realised the gate was open and both bicycles were missing.

After asking family members if they had removed them, the homeowner made a check of the CCTV footage from a neighbour’s house and saw the accused leaving with his property.

On his arrest, Jordan told police he sold the bicycles for five cocaine stones and $50. That property was not recovered.

“Sir, seven years I suffering from this addiction and never get no help,” Jordan, known for breaking and entering, said as he addressed Magistrate Graveney Bannister who was making a check of his criminal record.

“I apologise, Sir. I apologise for my behaviour. I would like to get some professional help. I at the mercy of the court, Sir, that is the honest truth,” he added.

Jordan was then told he would spend 18 months in prison for stealing the bicycles with an order for drug rehabilitation and counseling.

“Eighteen months, cheese on . . . . Have mercy pun me, Sir,” Jordan’s begged on hearing his sentence.

He was then informed about the additional punishment for breaking and entering into Doreen’s Shop.

The grumbling convict was subsequently escorted from the court by a police officer.