A youth yesterday admitted to committing two armed robberies and said he did the crimes because he was hungry and had no money.
Quacy Jupiter, 18, of Lot 173 Campbell Street, Albouystown, was read a total of five charges on Monday, by Principal Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus.
The first charge, to which he pleaded guilty, stated that on August 1st, at Louisa Row, while in the company of another and armed with a gun, he robbed Robert Rawlins of a bicycle, cellphone and a silver ring, amounting to a total of $43,000 in value.
He also pleaded guilty to the second charge, which stated that on August 1st, at Louisa Row, while armed with a gun and in the company of another, he robbed Roxanne Daniels of two cellphones and cash, worth a total of $131,000 in value.
Jupiter denied a third armed robbery charge, which states that on August 1st, at Louisa Row, while armed with a gun, he robbed Ulric Bristol of a wristwatch, a cellphone, a haversack and cash, totaling $63,000 in value.
Jupiter also denied charges that on August 1st at Campbell Street, Albouystown, he had in his possession a .38 revolver as well as four rounds of .38 ammunition, while not being the lawful holder of a firearm licence.
Police Prosecutor Shellon Daniels told the court that on the day in question at 4.30 am, Bristol left work riding his bicycle. After he turned east onto Sussex Street, he was approached by two men, who pointed a gun to his neck and told him to hand over all that he had. Bristol became scared and handed over the items. Bristol had seen the face of one of the robbers, Daniels said, and he later made a report at the Albouystown Police Outpost.
Daniels said at the outpost he noticed a number of persons reporting attacks whose perpetrators matched the description of the persons who robbed him. With the information, the prosecutor said, police were able to quickly identify Jupiter. Rawlins and Daniels, along with police, went to Jupiter’s house, where the young man admitted to the offence immediately after seeing his victims. The firearm was found on Jupiter along with the items which were identified by the victims, Daniels added.
Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus subsequently asked Jupiter what his reason was for robbing the men. Jupiter told the magistrate he was hungry and had no money. He is expected to learn his fate today for the charges to which he has pleaded guilty as a probation report is expected to be presented to the court. Jupiter was remanded until September 23rd when the other matters will be called for disclosure.
