Man caught with 'burglary tools'

An 18-year-old man who admitted having items on him that could be used to break into a house was today remanded into custody.

Marcus Tucker pleaded guilty to possessing a crow bar and black gloves in Smith’s parish on Friday.

He also admitted possession of a bladed article, a four-inch knife.

The court heard at 1:20pm that day, police officers were patrolling the Skyline, Smith’s parish area in light of recent burglaries.

They saw a black and red motorcycle with two men on it. The driver had on dark clothing.

When the driver saw the police, he stopped the bike. The driver was Tucker.

The court heard police approached the two men and asked why they were in the area.

Tucker told the officers they were “taking a drive” but his passenger said he was going to visit a female.

The court heard the officers became suspicious and conducted searches of both men.

On Tucker, they found black gloves and a knife in his pocket. The officers didn’t find anything on the passenger.

Officers then searched the bike and found another pair of black gloves, two blue jackets, a crow bar and two skullcaps.

Both men were arrested and taken to the Southside Police Station.

Addressing the court, Tucker said: “I was in possession of the items but I forgot I had the knife in my pocket.

“I don’t usually carry a knife.

“That’s not my bike. It’s not illegal to have a crow bar and a pair of gloves.

“I weren’t doing anything wrong. I didn’t break into no one’s house.”

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo was informed Tucker was on a suspended prison sentence for an unrelated incident.

He remanded him into custody and ordered an update on his probation.

Tucker will be sentenced on May 27.