A Cuban man was sentenced to nine months in jail yesterday after he pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking and entering and larceny.
Daniar Pelaez, who was one of three Cuban nationals who were jointly charged last month with two counts of breaking and entering and larceny, was sentenced to nine months in prison after changing his plea and declaring his alleged accomplices’ innocence.
Pelaez was, however, only sentenced after pleading guilty to one of the two charges. He admitted that between January 22nd and January 23rd, at “Stretch Ma Dollar” Variety Store, in the company of two others, he broke and entered the store and stole 10 tablets, valued $150,000, five cellphones, valued $55,000 and $75,000 in cash.
Pelaez also wanted to plead guilty to the other charge, which stated that he, in the company of others, broke and entered Ishant Variety Store and stole three cellphones, valued $45,000, three speakers, valued $45,000, hair clippers, valued $6,000, a quantity of clothing, valued $20,000 and $30,000 in cash but as he was read the charge via an interpreter, he denied stealing the items from the store.
Magistrate Leron Daly then explained that she couldn’t accept the guilty plea as Pelaez was denying the allegation and so she entered a not guilty plea on his behalf in relation to that charge.
Pelaez, upon realising that a not guilty plea would be entered, proclaimed the innocence of his alleged accomplices, Jose Gorerva and Junior Infante, and tried claiming sole responsibility of both charges, but he continued denying stealing from the second store. Eventually, Magistrate Daly asked Prosecutor Sanj Singh to re-read the facts so as to make a decision.
Facts presented by the prosecutor stated that about 1 am, police, acting on information, went to the “Stretch Ma Dollar” Variety Store and found Pelaez’s alleged accomplices standing outside, while he was found hiding in the store with the articles in his possession.
Pelaez was sentenced for the offence but due to his continuing to deny involvement in the second break in and larceny he will be tried along with the other two Cubans.
That matter was adjourned until March 8th, 2019.
