Men in court over stolen cheque
Two men were charged in connection to a single stolen cheque yesterday, while a warrant was issued for a third who failed to attend court.Andre Tucker, 31, and Erin Richardson, 27, both appeared at Magistrates’ Court to face a charge of receiving stolen goods, a cheque belonging to Desmond Richardson Sr.The court heard that on September 4, Tucker attended the Bermuda Financial Network and asked an employee to cash a $2,500 cheque made to Desmond Richardson Jr.He also produced Desmond Richardson Jr’s passport and his own drivers licence.The employee then contacted the cheque’s writer, who informed the employee that he had not issued the cheque. Police were contacted, and Tucker was arrested.Questioned by police, the Devonshire labourer told officers that he was with a friend at the Hamilton Bus Terminal when he was approached by a man on a motorcycle who asked him to cash a cheque for him.The man was later identified to be Erin Richardson, from Pembroke, who was subsequently arrested along with Desmond Richardson Jr.The court heard that CCTV footage caught Desmond Richardson Jr attempting to cash the same stolen cheque at the Bermuda Financial Network in August, but was turned away when staff could not contact the cheque’s issuer.Appearing in court, Tucker pleaded guilty to accepting the stolen cheque, but Erin Richardson Jr denied the charge. Desmond Richardson Jr did not appear in court.Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered a social inquiry report on Tucker, while setting a trial date for Erin Richardson.Both men were released on $2,000 bail with a like surety. Mr Warner also ordered a warrant for the arrest of Desmond Richardson Jr.