Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

A farmer and sometime taxi driver accused of stealing a motor vehicle was remanded in custody when he appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Charged with larceny of a motor vehicle is 44-year-old Herman Bryce of a Richmond Hill, Mile Gully, Manchester, address.

Allegations are that on April 26, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the male complainant, accompanied by a female companion, parked his grey 2001 Honda Partner motor car along a section of Ocean Boulevard, downtown Kingston to attend the Magnum Kings and Queens competition in the area. It is believed that when he returned to the vehicle, at approximately 2:00 a.m., it was gone.

On October 23, at approximately 4:00 p.m., the complainant was reportedly at the Mandeville Hospital on business when he observed a vehicle identical to his on the compound. At the time, the vehicle was being driven by the accused man. The complainant summoned the police, and the vehicle was found to be in fact the one stolen . Bryce was arrested and charged.

Missing items

In court, the complainant enquired about a number of items, including tools, he said valued at $500,000, that was left in the vehicle the day it was stolen.

"Those stuff are not in the car again, yu nuh sir," said Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey.

The complainant further enquired whether the car could be released to him. However, it was revealed that ongoing police investigations would not allow same.

"This car-stealing thing is no small matter, yu nuh," said RM Pusey.

the accused man was remanded in custody until November 27, pending a mention hearing.