Accused thief says he was hired to take stolen bike to mechanic

A young man was yesterday charged with stealing a motorcycle but he claimed the owner hired him to take it the mechanic.

Jamie De Andrade, 19, of 42 First Phase, Kwakwani is accused of stealing the motorcycle, valued $80,000, from Cyril Conway.

De Andrade pleaded not guilty to the charge.

When asked if he wanted to say anything in relation to the charge, De Andrade told city magistrate Ann McLennan that he did not have a permanent job and had agreed to push the motorcycle to the mechanic for $200 payment. De Andrade said this information was passed on to the police.

Magistrate McLennan placed De Andrade on $100,000 bail and adjourned the case to September 18, when the matter is to be called at the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court.