Kingston port workers fined over scooter theft as Manchester card fraud and St. Catherine ABM robbery cases advance

Two warehouse workers who admitted stealing electronic scooters from a facility at the Kingston port were each ordered to pay $100,000 or serve 30 days in prison when they appeared before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday.

Omari Bakes, 30, and Taja Campbell pleaded guilty to simple larceny. Court records indicate that on February 19, 2026, surveillance cameras captured the men taking two black electric scooters and a travel bag holding perishable goods worth $100,000. Bakes was on staff at the warehouse operation, while Campbell was attached to an independent contractor.

In a separate matter before the same court, bail was extended for three Manchester fast-food employees accused of stealing roughly $6 million from customers' bank cards. The accused are Shaquille Smon, 29, of Suis Hope District; Abigail Prey, 20, a cashier of Confidence Avenue; and Shane Williams, 22, of Nolles Road.

Williams is alleged to have photographed debit and credit card details while working a drive-through lane in Manchester. Investigators say the data was used to buy Bitcoin from overseas vendors, the cryptocurrency was resold, and proceeds were moved through a third-party bank account before reaching Williams. National Commercial Bank clients who challenged unauthorised charges prompted a bank inquiry; a bank representative told the court on Tuesday that a disputed transaction led merchants to identify those who processed the payments. Examination of Williams' account reportedly linked Prey after funds moved from her account to his.

Smon, Prey and Williams remain on $400,000 bail each under conditions set by Senior Parish Court Judge Sancho Borrell, including reporting to Mandeville Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., surrendering travel documents and observing stop orders. The case was adjourned to November 3, 2026 for a case management hearing. Alink Martin and Chenise Smith have also been arrested and charged in connection with the alleged scheme.

Merilium Limited confirmed an incident involving automated banking machines under its guard at a Scotiabank support site on Breton Parkway in St. Catherine, where masked intruders are believed to have entered an ABM service room between 3:00 p.m. Saturday and early Sunday and removed a large cash sum thought to run into millions. The firm said it is cooperating with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and conducting an internal review. In a statement, the company said, "Our priority is the safety of our personnel, the security of our clients assets, and establishing the facts surrounding the incident. As the matter remains under active investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

At the Supreme Court on Tuesday, the Integrity Commission undertook not to charge Cabinet minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley until the court rules on his bid for judicial review of the body's findings. Lawyers for investigation director Kevin Stevenson and acting corruption prosecution director Kellyan Murdoch gave the pledge after Wheatley's team sought to block charges ahead of a leave hearing fixed for July 23. The commission must file affidavits by July 13; Wheatley's attorneys have until July 17. The IC has recommended illicit-enrichment charges, alleging assets $164 million above lawful earnings; Wheatley disputes the claim and has sued Stevenson and Murdoch. King's Counsel Ransford Braham, Abel Dabdoo and Deno Pagon represent Wheatley; King's Counsel Kevin Powell appears for the commission.