A St. George's man accused of stealing almost $5,000 in cash from a visitor said he did it to feed a heroin addiction.

Joeshon Russell, 34, from Tommy Fox Road, St. David's pleaded guilty when he appeared at Magistrates' Court to stealing a black bag containing three cellular phones, a digital camera, and a wallet containing $4,950 in cash on July 19, along with stealing several items from The People's Pharmacy on June 24.

According to the charges, Frederico Waisman, a former Bermuda resident who was visiting friends on the Island, was riding on a motorcycle with his 14-year-old daughter near Hermitage Road when a motorcycle, ridden by Russell, approached them from behind.

Believing the second bike was planning to overtake, Mr. Waisman, pulled to the left side of the lane.

Russell pulled alongside Mr. Waisman, and grabbed a black bag from their cycle before accelerating away.

After being arrested in St. George's earlier this month in connection to the theft, Russell told officers that he had thrown away the bag and used the cash to pay bills and buy heroin.

Russell also pleaded guilty to stealing several items from The People's Pharmacy in June.

He was caught on security cameras entering the store with another man, picking up several items, and leaving without paying.

Among the items were a "jump-o-line," an inflatable bed and two inflatable boats. The value of the stolen items was $594.85.

In a Police interview following his arrest, he told officers that he sold the items for drugs.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo remanded Russell in custody until sentencing on September 16, while ordering a social inquiry report.