A Bellevue Chopin man who resides at Didier Lane, Goodwill and no stranger to the court, has yet again run into trouble with the law and as a result, he will spend the next three months as an inmate at the Dominica State Prison, this time for theft at a Chinese-owned store.
Shane Edwards, known for his comical videos on social media, appeared before Magistrate Hansel Valarie earlier this week where he pleaded guilty “with an explanation,” to theft of three vests at the establishment located on 43 Hillsborough St. Roseau.
The incident occurred nearly two months ago. However the 35-year-old was only recently arrested and charged.
According to the facts of the case, on Tuesday August 31, 2021, the Virtual Complaint (VC) who is a Chinese national, was sitting at the cash register in her store nearing the end of the business day when Edwards staggered in, exposing a short brown-handled knife which he was carrying in his right hand.
The VC told police that Edwards appeared to be in a drunken state at the time, hence, she and another employee continued to observe him as he proceeded to grab a number of white vests on a shelf before exiting the store without paying for the items.
Before doing so, he stated to the VC and her employee, “follow me and I will kill all you.”
Shortly after, an unidentified male returned the stolen items and the brown-handled knife to the store owner and identified the thief as Shane Edwards. A report was subsequently made at the Roseau Police Station and the matter was referred to Constable Pascal.
The officer then proceeded to the scene and had a conversation with the VC who handed him the items as well as video footage which showed the incident.
Nearly two months later, Saturday October 16, 2021, whilst one duty, Constable Pascal saw the defendant at the Roseau Market and informed him of the report which was made against him.
Edwards was cautioned and arrested and stated at the time, “I doh know nothing about that.”
He was then transported to the Roseau Police Station where he was searched and placed in police cells.
The following day, October 17, the investigating officers conducted an interview with Edwards where he initially denied stealing the items.
He later confessed when he was shown the video footage of the incident stating, “now I seeing is me that there. I wasn’t in my right senses, I am sorry for wasting your time. I was under the influence and I cannot say I remember that but I am very sorry.”
Edwards was subsequently charged with theft.
At the court hearing, mitigating on his own behalf, Edwards apologized not only to the court but to the store owner in what sounded like Chinese.
According to him, he suffers from mental illness and his action on the day in question was as a consequence of him using a controlled substance instead of not taking his medication.
“On that day, I was not in the right state of mind. I was on something else, not my medication.. Lately I have been trying. I have been going to church; I am working and I’m trying to take my medication. So Your Honor I am asking you to please have mercy on me and not impose a custodial sentence,” Edwards pleaded.
However, with 36 prior convictions, Magistrate Valerie told Edwards he is a menace to society.
The Magistrate stated that while a certain level of leniency would be excised for Edwards guilty plea, the fact that the accused displayed a weapon and made threats while committing the offense, could not be ignored.
“You have a police record with over 30 convictions most of which are of a violent nature. You have several charges of theft, battery and you were also charged for escaping confinement. Your whole life is being wasted in the court and in jail but somehow you don’t seem to learn your lesson,” Magistrate Valerie lamented.
He further reprimanded Edwards before imposing a three month jail sentence.
Before leaving the court, Edwards thanked the Magistrate and gave a commitment to change his behavior and again apologised to the Chinese store owner.
Restitution was ordered to the store owner for the stolen goods.
DNO get facts straight. I am not by any means saying Bellevue is free from law breakers but this guy is not from Bellevue Chopin if you are infact refering to the community between Loubierre and Pitchlen he is just not from that community.
ADMIN: This is the information we received from the court.
This is a clear message to all Dominicans. Don’t you steal from the Chinese. Whether you are mad, crazy, moo moo, mental this or mental that. You can steal from your own people but don’t mess with the Chinese. Don’t forget, you are just a tenant here and the Chinese are your Landlord and Landlady. You may say, “but this is Dominica!” Uh uh…not any more. The Chinese are your Landlords. You have to wait a little until their lease is canceled by the DWP. Then, if they choose to remain in Dominica the law will then be meted out without bias. Also, the judges have to keep their jobs by bowing to Skerrit. Because they know that they must go hard on anyone who has an ought against the Chinese; else they don’t have a job. Think about this for a moment….if you are a “judge” in Dominica and you lose your job; what else will you do? Any alternative in mind? So all these judges are watching their backs, irrespective of what the public thinks. But this man needs mental help not prison time.
Dominicans second class citizens in their on country but they still love their PM. When is all you PM going to show you the MOU he signed with these people? Why isn’t he showing it to all you? If anything good what in it, he would have used it long time for his continued propaganda. Think about it, people.
This person is not from Bellevue Chopin.
ADMIN: This the information the court provided.
Put that theft away for a long time…three months is biscuits…He will never learn like this….After all he is not new to the justice system…Time to buckle up and put him away and throw away the key….
Maybe they need to lock you up and throw away the keys Jenny as well.
Magistrate Valerie told Edwards he is a menace to society.
I think society has neglected his signals for help and it is paying for that neglect. This guy looks and sound s like he is suffering from some mental dissability and instead of helping him he is being vast aside as a menace so the cycle continues. I think we are using the wrong remedy for what seems to me a mental problem. As i have seen all my life if you live in Dominica with mental challenges you are condemned for life. It is a harsh reality.
Shaka well said. He needs an intervention he needs to be in a mental facility. The prison is not the answer. What is wrong with Dominicians? Throw the keys is a hurtful statement. He is someone’s child, brother maybe father. Comon this young man do not belong behind bars and all the criminals running wild and free. GOD HELP US….Magistrate whatever you call it needs to take a course in Mental Illness. My God. Help this Dude…. He is Sick
I concur, this individual would appear to suffer from a mental condition which begs the question if he can be legally held to account. A stint at Stock farm is certainly not going to remedy his condition and he should be put under psychiatric supervision for his own good and society as a whole.
Well I don’t condone stealing anywhere – not at a Chinese store or at a national store. But the question should be asked, did the Chinese men who beat up the guy the other day went to prison? What about the two Chinese nationals who accosted Sukie? Could Mr. Edwards get alcohol counselling and a suspended monitored supervision sentence? Or do we have to please our Chinese bosses and their political puppets in Dominica Mr. Magistrate by locking him up?
Ken, there is no criminal or moral equivalent in the incidents you have cited. A crime is a crime regardless of the perpetrator. This man will have his day in court where I hope justice will be served. If he is deemed mentally unstable, then I pray he will be provided with the necessary follow up care to help address his condition. This may be wishful thinking on my part in a country that pays scant attention to the growing number of mentally ill Dominicans.
Chupes man, did you read the report. The man already had his day in court and was sent to the slammer for three months. I believe the police knew all along who did this, there was no secret it was Edwards but the was not arrested till almost two months later, while he moved about in public all the time,. He was put straight into a cell On 16 Oct. and convicted and sentenced all in less than six days. Was it because the Chinese complained that nothing was being done and they wanted to pacify them? Yes he stole , which is wrong and he is a nuisance but so are many others. I do not think this was handled correctly at all.
From Bellevue Chopin? I have been living at Bellevue Chopin for 65 years….I have not see this person at Bellevue Chopin. Mister is hoid we!!!!
But if he did the crime, let him serve the time.