News

Hotel worker accused of robbing visitors

By PAUL A. REID, Staff Reporter

Western Bureau:

A MONTEGO BAY hotel worker, who is alleged to have confessed to robbing the safe of guests in the hotel after he was chased and held on Christmas day and the money recovered from him, will face trial on January 5.

Alvin Simpson, a 28-year-old maintenance employee of a major Montego Bay hotel, who lives in Hendon, Norwood, was remanded in custody on charges of house breaking and larceny after he reportedly went into the guests' room and stole US$2960 (J$179,080) and a digital camera worth US$500 from a safe between 7:00am and 7:00pm when the guests were out.

The court was told that the couple, Marshall and Patti Post, had left their room and gone out after securely locking their valuables, including cash, in the safe in their room.

Alarm

However, when they returned to the room, the court was told that they discovered their belongings missing and raised an alarm.

The court was further told that, after giving a description of a man, who they saw in the corridor outside their room fitting the accused man, Simpson was questioned and a search of his person and locker requested.

The court heard that upon hearing the request, Simpson fled but was chased and held.

When he was searched, US$1920 (J$116,160) was found in his pocket along with an electronic master key for the hotel rooms and a safe opener. However, the camera was not recovered.

Simpson reportedly admitted to taking the money and was arrested and charged.