Roommate turns burglar, steals over $3 000 in items

When he first stood in the dock of the District ‘A’ Traffic Court on Monday, Shamar Obrien Blackman denied that he had stolen more than $3 200 in items from a room in a house he shared with other people.

However, moments later, the St Leonard’s Avenue, Westbury Road, St Michael resident changed his plea, confessing to entering the dwelling house of Andy Durant as a trespasser on May 16, and stealing a television valued at $499.90, a home entertainment system valued at $499.90, a tablet valued at $134.77 a watch valued at $542.48 and six pairs of sneakers valued at $1 555, belonging to Durant.

According to the facts, Durant and several others live in separate rooms at the same property, sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities. Blackman had moved in a month prior. On the day in question, Durant left for work around 5:30 a.m. after locking his room. When he returned, he spoke briefly with Blackman on the patio, then entered the house and found his door closed but unlocked. Inside, the room was ransacked, and the listed items were missing.

Police were called and arrested Blackman on suspicion. A search of his room turned up three pairs of sneakers and the tablet.

Magistrate Alison Burke sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment, but suspended it for six months.

Blackman, who was the subject of a wanted bulletin last week, was then taken to the No. 2 Magistrates’ Court on another matter. He is scheduled to reappear there on June 26.