Staff catch thief by diverting store's elevator

Store officials stopped a shoplifter in his tracks when he tried to flee without paying for food.

A court heard how Andre Shakir tried to escape in a lift at Hamilton Market Place.

But quick-thinking staff stopped the elevator, which was heading to the underground car park, and brought Shakir back to the shop floor.

The 19-year-old appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday and admitted stealing food worth $47 on September 15, including containers of chicken, rice and meatballs as well as four juice drinks.

The food was placed in a bike helmet the defendant was carrying, Crown counsel Cindy Clarke told the court.

She said that the store doors had to be locked when Shakir tried to run out of the shop. He told shop officials he stole the food for friends.

Shakir, of Spice Lily Lane, Sandys, apologised and said that his friends had dared him to steal.

"That was a real stupid thing I have done and it's not going to happen again."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner adjourned sentencing until November 30 so a social inquiry report could be completed. The defendant was given $1,000 bail.

Cash, CD player stolen

A Phillips CD player and coins totalling $200 have been stolen in a Warwick house raid.

The Spring Hill was broken into some time on Tuesday, Police said, while the owner was out.

And a St. George's business has been hit in the pocket after thieves made off with $200.

Police said the Bridge Street break-in happened overnight on Tuesday.

Lack of staff caused work stoppage

Work at Hamilton docks stopped for an hour yesterday over lunchtime.

Officials said that there were no container deliveries between noon and 1 p.m. because of staff shortages due to sickness.

2006 Facts & Figures available

Copies of the 2006 edition of Bermuda Facts and Figures are now available to the public.

Statistics featured include inflation rates, average incomes, Government finances and visitor arrivals, between 2003 and 2005.

Free copies are available from the Visitor Service Bureau, the National Library, the Department of Communication and Information, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Statistics.

Government said there would be a charge of $1 per copy for orders of more than 25, supplies permitting.

Four storey office block planned

The construction boom and demand for office space could soon be reaching into hitherto unaffected outlying areas of the City of Hamilton.

A plot of land that lies beyond the Bulls Head car park and Canal Road has been earmarked for a four-storey office block.

Permission is being sought to demolish an existing building at 17 Laffan Street, Pembroke, and replace it with a new commercial office building.

Designs have been drawn up by Talbot Enterprises for the proposed building, which would cover a ground area of 7,107 square feet and offer a total of 31,190 square feet of office space on the various floors, including a basement area.

The plans, which have been lodged with the Development Applications Board for final approval, also indicate five car-parking spaces would be made available for the occupiers of the building.