A man who stole almost $20,000 worth of merchandise will be sentenced in Magistrates’ Court in March.

Equan Richardson, 20, admitted stealing jewellery and electronics and taking two motorcycles without consent when he appeared in court yesterday.

Richardson also pleaded guilty to destroying a bike, riding without valid insurance and obstructing a police officer.

The court heard that Richardson, from Hamilton Parish, broke into Swiss Jewellers on Front Street on January 26, 2023 and stole $8,495 worth of jewellery.

Police traced blood droplets at the scene to Richardson, who also damaged a display window at the store that cost $9,865 to repair.

Police found Richardson riding a bike that had been reported stolen.

Richardson, who became aggressive while being arrested, told officers that he found the bike in Devonshire and thought it was abandoned.

The court then heard that police saw Richardson running towards Queen Elizabeth Park shortly after they learnt of a burglary at P-Tech on October 9, 2023.

Richardson sped away from police on another stolen bike, but lost control at the junction of North Shore Road and The Glebe Road.

Officers arrested Richardson and found the stolen electronics, valued at $9,903, in and around Queen Elizabeth Park.

Magistrate Maria Sofianos ordered that a social inquiry report be written for Richardson.

She adjourned the case to March 7 for sentencing and extended his bail until then.

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