He stole a bike to buy HIV/AIDS medication

A Belize City resident told the court this morning on arraignment that he is afflicted with HIV AIDS and had to steal for medication. Thirty-four year old construction worker, Kenroy Brown, admitted to stealing a two hundred and fifty dollar bicycle which he intended to sell and use the money to buy his medication.  Allegations are that on August twenty-third, Brown stole a beach cruiser bicycle from its owner Christian Samos. The alleged theft is said to have occurred at the corner of Mosul and Orange Street. Samos was at work at First Stop Pawn Shop when Brown allegedly rode off on his bicycle.  According to Samos, he and a co-worker set chase behind Brown, caught up with him on Water Lane and were able to retrieve the stolen bicycle. In mitigation, Brown told Magistrate Hamilton Leslie that he needed to buy new medication since the type he was using is not helping him. He also to the court that this is his first such offense and pleaded for a non-custodial sentence since he has a wife and two children to take care of. Magistrate Hamilton imposed a fine seven hundred and fifty dollars giving him ample time to pay the court.