Browne sentenced for stealing employer’s coins

Robert Browne, who reportedly stole coins amounting to thousands of dollars from his employer, was fined $2,000 in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Magistrate Ayanna Baptiste-DaBreo ordered him to pay the fine by August 21 or serve four months in prison.

He was fined following his guilty plea last December.

The prosecution reported that the offender’s employer, Martin Alfonso, had a gallon-water-bottle that he used as a container to store coins.

He saved between $5,000 and $6,000 and kept it in a secured storeroom at his business establishment – Alfonso Car Rental and Garage in Fish Bay, Tortola.

Reports are that, some time between May 1 and June 25 last year, Browne stole the coins.

The court heard that his boss visited the storeroom on June 25, and realized that the saving container was slashed and the coins removed.

He called the police after all his employees denied knowledge of the theft.

The court heard that Browne was eventually identified as the culprit.

Browne reportedly claimed that he found the container cut, and so he ‘touched’ it to take a closer look.

Police however searched his residence and reportedly discovered a quantity of coins and coin wrappers.

It is said that Browne then admitted to law enforcers that he had hidden some of the coins at a friend’s house.

Police then visited the friend’s residence and found more coins and wrappers.

The friend claimed that he had no knowledge the coins were stolen.

Browne reportedly told police that he stole the money because he was having financial difficulties.