Guard caught on tape stealing colognes from employer

-court hears

A security guard was yesterday charged with larceny after being allegedly caught on tape stealing colognes from his employer’s store.

Jeffrey Smith, 56, of Lot 29 Industry, East Coast Demerara, was charged with stealing a quantity of colognes, which was valued $392,000 in total. The stolen articles belonged to Shazam Hamid, who had employed Smith to guard his store at the City Mall.

Smith, who pleaded not guilty to the simple larceny charge, was placed on $80,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It was alleged that he committed the theft between September 19 and September 20.   Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on September 19, Hamid secured his store. Upon returning the following morning, he said, the man discovered his glass case opened and the colognes missing.

Mansfield added that Hamid questioned the security guard and Smith denied any knowledge of the theft. However, he said Hamid ran a surveillance tape and it was shown that Smith took the said items.

Bail was granted as the prosecution had no objections.
The case will be called again on September 28 in Court Two.