A 26-year-old homeless man who stole a tail light from a van parked in front of a police station has been jailed for 12 months.
Ramesh Gayapersad pleaded guilty to larceny when he appeared before San Fernando Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine in the First Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said on Tuesday night Gayapersad stole the tail light, valued at $2,500, from a Nissan Navara, which is an exhibit in a criminal matter. It was parked in front of the San Fernando Police Station.
PC Vishal Ramsaroop and other officers, who had noticed the crime being committed, chased after Gayapersad and held him a short distance away with the light in his hand.
“I get a wuk to steal the tail light,” he told the officers.
His criminal record revealed he had 10 previous convictions in the last ten years.
Gayapersad told the magistrate his parents died and he has been living on the streets. But the magistrate told him there were charitable organisations which assist the homeless who ask for help.
She told him he did not have to resort to stealing.