CCTV exposes teens in bizarre break-in looting viagra, sneakers

Two hundread viagra pills, sneakers and even a TV remote were among the strange loot that landed three teenagers in police custody after CCTV footage exposed their alleged break-in spree in Stony Hill, St Andrew.

The accused, two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old, are now being held at the Metcalfe Street Juvenile Remand Centre, which houses persons under 18 years old.

Reports are that the first incident took place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:50 p.m. on Friday, February 6, in Rocky Valley, Stony Hill. Police said the complainant returned home and became suspicious after smelling cigarette smoke inside her bedroom even though no one in the household smokes.

Checks were made and the woman reportedly discovered that a kitchen security camera had been displaced and destroyed. Investigators said eggshells were also found in a pot and several rooms, including her daughter's bedroom, were ransacked. A wardrobe was also forced open.

Items reported stolen included a laptop valued at $50,000, three Cloud Tech intelligent cameras valued at $2,500 each, two Jennov cameras valued at $4,000 each, along with $3,000 cash taken from a drawer in the complainant's daughter's room.

Police said investigations into the break in revealed that the two older teens were captured on the home's CCTV system. The teens were later arrested, cautioned and interviewed in the presence of their parents and guardians before being charged with housebreaking and larceny as well as malicious destruction of property.

However, cops said further enquiries and caution statements from the teenagers allegedly linked them to an earlier break in on January 28, that had never been reported.

That incident reportedly occurred at a three bedroom concrete apartment where several items were stolen including approximately 200 Viagra pills, three pairs of Nike Air Force sneakers, one pair of black Clarks shoes, six shorts, three watches, packs of underpants, food items including bread and salmon, and a black Samsung television remote. The stolen items were valued at about $270,000.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Glendale Murdoch, crime officer for the St Andrew North Police Division, said CCTV footage played a critical role in cracking the case.

Murdoch said it was from the footage that investigators were able to identify the suspects and after they were interviewed, information surfaced about the earlier break in. He said the police then contacted the complainant in that matter and recorded a statement, which allowed investigators to move forward with charges.

The senior officer also urged residents to install surveillance systems and to report crimes promptly, noting that timely reports help police investigations.

Police statistics show that up to February 7, the St Andrew North Division recorded three robberies and three break ins, representing a 63 per cent decline in robberies and an 81 per cent reduction in break ins compared to the same period last year.

- Andre Williams

We want to hear from you! Email us at star@gleanerjm.com and follow @thejamaicastar on Instagram and on X @JamaicaStar and on Facebook: @TheJamaicaStar, or on Whatsapp @ 876-550-250