Passenger fined for stealing taxi driver’s phone

A miner was yesterday fined $50,000 after he admitted to stealing a taxi driver’s cellphone, after borrowing it to make a call.

Randy Lewis, 32, admitted that on August 19, at Parade Street, he stole a Samsung phone, valued at $46,000, from Keon Mendoza.

Police prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves told the court that on the day in question, Lewis hired Mendoza, who was on duty in the vicinity of Demico House, to take him to Parade Street. On their way to Parade Street, the defendant asked Mendoza to use his phone to make a call.

However, when the vehicle arrived at Lewis’ destination, he did not return the phone.

The theft was reported and Lewis was later arrested.

When asked if he had any antecedents, Lewis told the court that he was previously found guilty of dangerous driving.

Magistrate Judy Latchman subsequently fined him $50,000 or a sentence of two months in jail if he cannot pay the fine.