“The devil made me steal her purse.”
That was the excuse of repeat offender, Hanif Riley (Jr), 36, of Goodwill when he appeared before a Roseau Magistrate’s Court on June 30, 2014 on a charge of theft.
He now has to pay a fine of $750 to be settled in one month or spend one month in prison if he fails to do so.
According to information revealed by the court, Riley pleaded guilty to stealing a purse containing $750 belonging to a female dentist who resides at Checkhall, Massacre on June 5, 2014.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Valda Powell, told the court that at about 7:30 pm the complainant and her boyfriend were traveling to Roseau along the Bath Estate Bridge where they met the defendant who asked for a “drop off” to Roseau.
The following day the complainant went to work at the Portsmouth Hospital and when she reached for her purse in her vehicle, she realized it was missing.
Later that day she received a call from her brother informing her that the purse was found in an empty lot near the National Bank located in Roseau.
A report was made to Police Headquarters.
Police officers immediately went in search of Riley but their efforts were unsuccessful.
He was later found in custody at the Police Headquarters and was informed of the report made against him.
“Officer I was almost by the apartments in Bath Estate when the lady stopped for me,” he told the lawmen. “As I shift to sit down the purse fell by my foot and I took it… I opened it and took the money inside and threw the purse in an empty lot at Hillsborough Street. I went by Pappy and purchased some soft drinks. I am sorry I let all you down.”
When questioned further he said, “The devil made me take her purse. I just got a job at St Jame’s Guest House and will pay her back.”
He revealed to the court that he was going through a ‘bad phase’ and that was the reason he stole the purse
“In the last five years that’s the second time I am coming there,” he said in reference to being taken to court.
Magistrate Bernard Pacquette reprimanded Riley saying he was giving hitchhikers a bad name.
“Not everyone can pay a bus .. that’s why we extend ride to people. The lady gave you a ride, did you a favor. You’re giving Hitchhikers a bad name,” he said. “All of us were raised up poor, but this is no reason to steal.”
Riley was also sentenced to three months in jail hard labour but this was suspended for one year. If he gets into trouble with the law within one year, he will be sent to the slammer for three months.
Five years ago he was sentenced to two months in prison for theft.
The devil does not MAKE people do evil things.
If the devil MADE people do wrong the people themselves could not be held responsible. The justice system would have to put the devil on trial not the criminal.
The idea that the devil MADE somebody commit a crime is just another of those silly statements that no knowledgeable Christian would make. Actually, I suspect the devil likes to hear it
because it gives unbelievers a reason to mock the Christian faith. However, it is not what we believe.
We do not believe
the devil MAKES people do things. He tempts, influences, lures, and seduces but he does not MAKE you sin . People do wrong because they choose to do wrong. 
However, some people do lose control of their lives by opening their lives to the devil.
If you by your own sinful behavior invite the devil to come into your home (body) of course he is going to come in. 
By consuming alcohol and drugs, by indulging in pornography, by committing fornication or adultery, by involving yourself in obeah or any form of witchcraft, you can open your mind to the influence of evil spirits, and even become demon possessed. But these are choices 
the individual makes.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
.
The devil does not MAKE people do evil things.
If the devil MADE people do wrong the people themselves could not be held responsible. The justice system would have to put the devil on trial not the criminal.
The idea that the devil MADE somebody commit a crime is just another of those silly statements that no knowledgeable Christian would make. Actually, I suspect the devil likes to hear it because it gives unbelievers a reason to mock the Christian faith. However, it is not what we believe.
We do not believe the devil MAKES people do things. He tempts, influences, lures, and seduces but he does not MAKE you sin . People do wrong because they choose to do wrong.
However, some people do lose control of their lives by opening their lives to the devil. If you by your own sinful behavior invite the devil to come into your home (body) of course he is going to come in. By consuming alcohol and drugs, by indulging in pornography, by committing fornication or adultery, by involving yourself in obeah or any form of witchcraft, you can open your mind to the influence of evil spirits, and even become demon possessed. But these are choices the individual makes.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
.
The devil is the author of confusion…he orchestrates everything that’s bad…check your BIBLE
Some of our parliamentary reps should borrow that excuse as I fail to understand some of the decisions they have made on behalf of our country.
It is possible that the devil made them do it because I dare say it is not the work of God.
You should have confess to God and ask Him what should you do with the money? Then, take that response from God, to the court and the people. One more thing; remember you are Dominica and Tourism is your business.
“The devil made me do it” News article
That is the reason the majority of mankind will continue in their state of lost–wandering in darkness; not knowing the path of Light that leads to Life, which has to be the stature of God’s Love in him
When a 36 year old man mischievously takes the purse of someone who gave him a ride, and he tells the court “the devil made me to it” what is that man going to teach his children?
But that is the nature of man from the very beginning. Eve blamed Lucifer–the angel with the mind of evil and wickedness, who we call the devil today– for her sinful interaction with him. Adam blamed Eve for his participation in that sinful interaction; He said to God: “The woman You gave me made me do it”
However God wants nothing to do with excuses–His laws demand that we obey and we shall live or we disobey and we shall die; one of those laws is: “Thou shall not steal”
Also, death in God’s vocabulary is not physical death, because Adam and Eve are our first parents–this means that they continued to exist in the body after that sinful interaction with Lucifer–that Satan of the Garden of Eden
Adam and Eve suffered “spiritual death”–that is the bad death in a human being–they brought us, their offspring in that same condition of spiritual death–the mind is carnal meaning that it cannot respond to the things of the Spirit of God.
Until man encounters the “new birth” –to be born again of Love, the very core of God, who is Spirit–he continues in this world as a natural man under the sole control of his human senses–which sows the futile seeds on the ground of the mind in its carnal condition.
And so the majority of mankind is exiting as the natural man, not knowing anything about the God who is of Spirit in Love and Holiness–that is the reason it is so easy to say: “the devil made me do it” but the devil is laughing at us for being fools, as he knows that we will end up in his abyss of darkness with him.
By the way this comment has nothing to do with “religion” –I do not believe in such concept,; I believe in God, and He wants nothing to do with “religion” –believe it or not!
It does not matter how you all put it but:
HE IS RIGHT
It’s the devil that cause him/tell him to steal the purse.
He should have rebuked the temptation, and fled from this place/sceme.
WEEL SAID MAN. It means that you are still smart enough to do better.
He uses the devil as a scapegoat, to go scotch-free, but people are not that stupid. If he was employing a strategist, he would be a millionaire Thief.
Fellow Dominicans, especially the women, if you are alone in your vehicles and worst of all at nights, do not offer anyone a ride and yes, a male gender, if especially alone. For one, you do not know if the person is a criminal or not; do not know if it is the devil in disguise or one of his followers.
There is some truth to this pro and con.
Riley said the devil made him do it. This means the devil surrounds him. He is not a safe person to as much as give a ride to. Thank God all he stole was her purse.
So you reside in D/ca where people are friendlier, caring and trusting. Nevertheless, sadly so, you do know that D/ca is not as safe as it used to be.
The type of society we reside in, worldwide, makes us become less friendly. We cannot take chances as we did previously. Many people have been injured and in a worst manner and also lost their lives by giving people, strangers a ride.
We are warned never to do that. Also keep your vehicle doors closed while you are driving. We must pay attention to those warnings
I recall reading a joke in the Sunday Church bulletin: “Learn from the mistakes of others. You do not live long enough to make them yourself.”
The magistrate is correct. Riley gave hitchhikers a bad name. We do know that not all of them have evil habits and inclinations. However, those who hear and read about what Riley did, bet they will no longer offer a ride to anyone who is especially alone as in this case, a man whom they do not know. You do know there are more male criminals than women criminals.
Consistent imprisonment should make him change his thievery habits. It appears he has not changed. Will he ever change? If he gets the opportunity to steal he may not hesitate to do so.
Which employer would trust those who continue to habitually steal with no change of heart? Their words of changing or wanting to be changed are not enough. There is no guarantee that they have ceased their criminal habits.
It would be sad for Riley to grow older and die in that manner including people as he. The government will have to find a way on how to rehabilitate these habitual criminals who are imprisoned and then released into mainstream society only to re-offend. This is not good for society. They are a menace to society.
Imagine knowing someone who is a criminal of any nature approaching you. You look around and observe that you are alone. What would your reaction be? Of course, you would be scared and try to run away if you can.
Fellow D/cans you (we) have much to pray for with loving and humble hearts, no exception for criminals that God may change their hearts and turn them into useful nationals, primarily for their very benefit..
Alas why the comment has to be so long
Riley, if only you would read the comments, hope they will cause you to change, repent and worship God. When you sway from the truth and what which will make you happy, this is what will happen to you.
The devil made you do it alright because he owns you in general. You allow him to do so because you have neglected God, probably never prayed to him, never looked at the Holy Bible and all the good that you were taught. Therefore, this is where you have ended up.
The devil has permeated many hearts, institutions of every nature and society in general. We notice, hear and read of this daily and the harm he has done and continue to do in our society worldwide which some are blind and deaf to, even scoffing at what is stated..
We must not make excuses that the devil made us do it as the late comedian Flip Wilson would say which made us, who viewed his program, laugh at. He had a point but only if we let the devil influence us, if we are weak enough to allow him.
The devil wants nothing good for human beings. He is jealous of us because he knows what he has lost forever and all those who are still living have recourse to God and stand a good chance of obtaining eternal salvation.
On Judgment Day, he and his fallen angels will be tied up forever, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth, never to harm anyone, the saved, for all eternity. Those who resist him or even try to do so and persevere to the end will be saved. This is a promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
Clearly this thief much have watched Scandal. He saw sally got away with that excuse so he tried it.
He was wrong to steal anything but why would you leave your purse in your car and don’t check on it the same night? You looking for a purse the next morning? Are you that trusting to offer someone a ride and leave your purse where they can see much less to steal? You good, hope you learn your lesson. The only place I leave my purse without checking on it is in my house where me and my husband live. When people come over it’s hidden in a secure area.
It is her business whether she chose to leave her purse in her car overnight especially if she has a closed-in, locked garage. I hope she has one. Otherwise she is fortunate that if it were not stolen by Riley, someone else would have stolen it. I cannot believe that if she did not have such a garage she would have left her purse in her car.
All women drivers place their purses in the back seat of their car. Granted, she knew her purse was in the back when she offered him a ride but did not give it a thought, probably not knowing his thievery, habitual reputation and forgot to take it out from the back seat.
If Riley was honest, he would not steal. A person of integrity would say to her, “Here is your purse.” If his story is true, here is what I speculate she would have replied, “Oh, thank you. Just put it aside.” She could also have taken the purse and placed it on her if the other front seat was occupied.
Riley has no excuse for taking the purse. This man is non-caring and inconsiderate. He knew it is her purse. She was kind enough to give him a ride and he should not have taken the purse. He is ungrateful. A person as he does not know those godly, humane virtues much more to practice them.
Why did he not ask her to give him some money? She appears to be a compassionate person and I am certain she would not have refused giving him a few dollars.
Don’t bite my head off….It’s too hot out there. Maybe you should go represent her since you are so ready to throw me off the bridge…don’t make your pressure rise much higher. I was trying to put some sense into a dumb dentist head and here you go chewing me off like I’m a piece of water melon.
@ anonymous whoever you are. I could care less as to what the dentist does with her money. I have a bank account and I hardly carry cash with me and I would never think of leaving or forgetting my purse in my car even if I live in a gated community or not. Nowhere is safe these days
Boy, Hanif..we went to SMA together and you were such a bright, promising, and smart kid. It is sad to see you end up like this. Get your life together and stay away from the hard drugs man. Do your time, get out and get yourself clean. Get a job and stay away from trouble. It troubles me to see someone like you who could be making a meaningful contribution to society.
He went to SMA? What a waste of a life and time. Sad what could occur to people when they commence taking drugs or are alcoholics. Yet, some want the government to legalize illegal drugs. We are aware what harm they could do to people, their brains and overall health. He needs to be rehabilitated.
Yes, he went to SMA and he was extremely bright. One of the brightest guys in class. It is extremely sad tos ee how the guy has turned out to be because of drugs.
He had just gotten a job, (his own words) getting a job does not exempt one from being a thief! “The devil made me do it” is not literal, it’s metaphoric, it’s a sad excuse for a sorry @ss robber who does not respect people’s belongings! He revealed to the court that he was going through a ‘bad phase’ and that was the reason he stole the purse. He is also a liar – why would anyone believe him when he said the devil made him do it? Did the devil made him do it, or going through a “bad” phase?
7 or 8 cxc ones
I hate a thief. A thief is worse than a murderer
You are wrong and you make me shiver….I would rather live with a thief than a murderer….though both are wrong….A thief can only take material things which can be replaced but a murder takes lives which can’t be replaced. Nobody wants to die
The good book says,”that a thief come to steal,KILL and destroy”……trust me a thief is worst than a murderer.
How sad that a bunch of Dominicans will read this story and say the Devil DID make him do it and say we are in the end times and start quoting bible verses. In the words of the late great Christopher Hitchens, religion poisons everything.
But the Bible does not accept “the devil made do it”! “Thou shall not steal” is a commandment of God, to us human beings.
Those who are accepting this excuse and if they use the Bible to justify their acceptance–I have not seen a comment like that here–, then they are simply fools like you, who believe that God and the Bible is about “religion”
wait for the religious none sense apologist comments….
You asked for it. You have depicted that you are not on the side of God, all what is good in society, good to say and do which are beneficial to make this society a happy, peaceful and safe place to reside.
The devil who goes around, roaming the world and seeking to devour souls, owns your heart.
You need to turn to God, worship him, repent and ask his forgiveness.
i need neither this devil nor god. i’m in my own corner.
and believe me, some idiot will read this story and believe that the devil made him do it.
The devil makes us do a lot of things
uuuhhh…..no. we have freewill and choice. he chose to steal. if the devil made him do it, you are essentially saying that he no longer has free will , in which case he is not responsible for his actions. that is what you want to believe? stupidity abounds!
We have a fight going on in Dominica the Devil and God, When the PM gave the money to the Catholic Bishop and the citizens questioned his motive he told them is not him to blame it’s GOD, now this man stole the purse his excuse is the Devil made him do it, People what is going on in lovely Dominica we have to change destructive path we are on we cannot play with God and the Devil is not truthful he comes to destroy .
yes I am one of them and yes he did, Who do you think rules this and this current system of things?
John 14:30
1st John 5:19
rev 12:12
Yes! You are correct, as also “under the radar” godless comment.
thank you! godless as always
People like you believe that the devil does not exist. And, I will say again and again …. “The devil makes us do a lot of things and I mean BAD things”. To those who disagree with me, it’s either you are in denial or pure hypocrites. The devil is alive and walking amongst us. I’m ready to be chewed and I know I can’t be swallowed