‘Chocolate man’ caught stealing sweets

Convicted chocolate thief Dwayne Elmore Cumberbatch believes the police are out to get him even though he was caught in the act on CCTV.

The 33-year-old, of no fixed place of abode, made the allegation today when he appeared before Magistrate Alison Burke.

At first, he denied stealing eight boxes of chocolates worth $47.60 belonging to Abubaker Bhana on December 13 but had a change of heart moments later.

The facts outlined by Sergeant Edwin Pinder revealed that Bhana, who owns Amazing Deals located on Victoria Street observed Cumberbatch entering the store and walking through the aisle with a bag in his hand. He subsequently left. Bhana made a check of his security footage and noticed Cumberbatch taking up the items before leaving the store. He was later seen on Oxley Street, St Michael, and was arrested.

But the convict, who claimed that his family was “still vex’’ with him following his last stint in prison, said “The police come to the market where I working and tell me I is de chocolate man.

“I can’t believe I back here for chocolate. They put me in the cell, ain’t ask me any questions and chuck a charge at me. I trying to behave myself but the police interfering with me Ms Burke,” Cumberbatch claimed.

“I want some sort of justice. I working for my own money now. I does live in Suttle Street where I does rent a room.   

“The officer that approach me say that I fit the description and say the person had on a mask and a floppy hat. They don’t have no face nothing else, they just went on my body structure,” he said.

He then asked the court for a break. “I want a chance ma’am. I want a bond or community service.”

After telling the court of his weekly earnings, Cumberbatch  was fined $350. He must pay the amount in two weeks or spend the alternative of one month in prison.