Trinidad woman on million-dollar bail over theft of bulldogs

Steffi Ramdhanie outside the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court on Friday. (Trinidad Guardian photo)
Steffi Ramdhanie outside the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court on Friday. (Trinidad Guardian photo)

(Trinidad Guardian) A vendor who allegedly stole two bulldogs and thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment was on Friday placed on $1 million bail.

Steffie Ramdhanie, 27, of Williamsville, appeared before San Fernando magistrate Alicia Chankar. It was alleged that between February 24 and 25 at American Flats, Eckel Village, Williamsville, she stole $986,530 in items including English and American bulldogs, a jackhammer, a lawn mower and several welding and hardware equipment.

The items belonged to businessman Anderson Martin who planned on starting a hydroponic farm.

Ramdhanie was not called upon to plead to the indicatable charge laid by constable Guerero of the Gasparillo police station.

Attorney Shirvani Ramkissoon said her client worked as a vegetable vendor and was a mother of two children. She said Ramdhanie, who lived with her parents at American Flats in Williamsville, had no previous or pending matters before the court. Ramkissoon said Ramdhanie was arrested last week Wednesday and spent two of the past seven days hospitalised for an infection. The attorney said Ramdhanie did not know Martin.

Police prosecutor Ramdath Phillip said the items were on a ranch which belonged to Martin and located close to Ramdhanie’s home.

The magistrate asked about the two dogs and Guerero said they were not recovered. The items which were retrieved were shown to the court.

Chankar placed Ramdhanie on $1 million bail. The vendor will return to court on April 5.