Hat thief jailed for 12 months

A man, who stole four hats from his former employer and in a separate incident stole money from a woman, was sentenced to 12 months in jail when he appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Desmond Lyken, also known as Gary Lyken, 40, pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny from a dwelling house. He also admitted to stealing four hats and was fined $25,000 with an alternative of six months imprisonment.

Police Prosecutor Corporal Roberto Figueira, relating the facts to the court said that on May 15, Gai Xin Zhu, opened her business premises  at Main and Pope Street, New Amsterdam and the defendant, who was a former employee, walked into the store and removed the hats which were valued at $4000.

Five days later, in relation to the change of larceny from the dwelling house, the court was told that the virtual complainant, Yvonne Hodge had opened her front door and went to the back of her yard to do some laundry when Lyken entered  her home  at Alexander Street and removed $10 000 which she had on her dining table. The culprit was seen leaving the house and an alarm was raised.

Both matters were reported to the Central Police Station and the charges were instituted.