Scooter theft fines, card-fraud bail review, ABM probe and Wheatley challenge

Two men were fined after pleading guilty in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court to stealing from a Kingston Port warehouse. Amari Biggs, 30, and Detaja Campbell were each ordered to pay $100,000 or serve 30 days in prison after being charged with simple larceny. Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed them on February 19, 2026 taking two black electronic scooters and a travel bag with perishable goods valued at $100,000. Biggs worked for Kingston Wharves, while Campbell worked for an independent contractor.

Three fast-food workers charged over the alleged theft of $6 million from customers' bank cards also had bail extended on Tuesday after appearing in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court, with St. Ann Parish Court Judge Sandrea Worrell reviewing their $400,000 bail. They are 29-year-old Shaquille Samon of Swiss Hope District, Manchester; 20-year-old cashier Abigail Preddy of Confidence Avenue, Manchester; and 22-year-old Ashine Williams of Nones Road, Manchester. Samon is charged with engaging in transactions involving criminal property, unlawfully making available computer data or a device for an offence, receiving stolen property and conspiracy to defraud. Preddy faces conspiracy to defraud, receiving stolen property, engaging in transactions involving criminal property and unlawfully making available computer data or a device. Williams is charged with conspiracy to defraud, receiving stolen property, engaging in transactions involving criminal property, simple larceny and unauthorized access to computer data. Investigators say Williams photographed customers' credit and debit card details at a Manchester drive-through, the information was used to buy Bitcoin from overseas merchants, and the proceeds were later laundered through Samon's bank account before being sent back to Williams. An NCB representative said a customer dispute triggered the probe, merchant details identified people involved, and transfers from Preddy's account to Williams' helped link Preddy to the fraud. The trio must report to Mandeville Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., surrender travel documents and remain under stop orders before the November 3, 2026 case-management date. Alwin Martin and Shaneese Smith have also been arrested and charged on similar counts.

Marylim Limited said it is working with the Jamaica Constabulary Force and carrying out a full internal investigation after an incident involving automated banking machines under its security coverage. The company was responding to last weekend's theft of an undetermined sum, believed to run into the millions, from ABMs at the Scotiabank Support Mall location on Britain Parkway in St. Catherine. Reports said masked men broke into the ABM service room sometime between 3:00 p.m. Saturday and early Sunday and made off with a large amount of cash. Marylim said its priority is "the safety of all personnel, the security of our clients' assets, and establishing the facts surrounding the incident," adding that it would not comment further while the matter remains under active investigation.

In the Supreme Court, the Integrity Commission told the court it will not charge Cabinet minister Dr. Andrew Wheatley until his application for judicial review of the commission's findings and ruling is determined. Sources said the undertaking was given on Tuesday by lawyers for the IC, director of investigation Kevon Stephenson and acting director of corruption prosecution Keisha Ann Murdock after Wheatley's attorneys sought an injunction to stop any charge before the leave application is heard. That undertaking is enforceable and can attract contempt proceedings if breached. Wheatley's team was also allowed to amend its filings. The IC must file affidavits by July 13, Wheatley's lawyers must file an additional affidavit by July 17, and the leave application is set for July 23. Wheatley is challenging the IC recommendation that he be charged with illicit enrichment over an alleged $164 million gap between his assets and earnings. He says the commission acted unreasonably and unfairly and ignored circumstances that make the allegation false. Wheatley named Stephenson and Murdock as defendants and is represented by King's Counsel Ransford Braham, Able Daboub and Nico Pigon, while King's Counsel Kevin Powell appears for the IC.