teenagers behind the master-plan were outsmarted by Police and hotel security.

Gavin Smith, 16, of Industrial Park Road, Southampton, and Aaron Thompson, 17, of Lapsley Lane, Sandys Parish, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court yesterday to extortion and Thompson pleaded guilty to a second charge of stealing by finding.

Kyle Scaggs, the complainant and visitor to Bermuda, was touring the Island via public buses on April 14, Police prosecutor Sgt. Donald Grant said.

After travelling back to Southampton Princess from Flatts, he noticed that his wallet containing $400 of US cash, $200 in traveller's cheques, personal papers and a bag of powdered aspirin had gone missing.

Staggs contacted hotel security and reported his lost wallet after an extensive search of his room.

Later in the evening Staggs heard a knock on his door, Sgt. Grant said, and when he looked outside, nobody was there.

But a pink slip of paper was at the foot of his door with a message written on it stating: "If you want your wallet with the stuff in it, pick up the room-phone at 10 p.m. sharp or face the consequences''.

Sgt. Grant said Staggs contacted the Police and an officer and hotel security arrived in the room to witness the telephone call.

Thompson called the room at 10 p.m. sharp and told the visitors: "We have your wallet and the stuff that is in it, I don't appreciate you bringing drugs into my Island (in reference to the powdered aspirin), you should be taxed''.

Thompson demanded that the visitor put $450 in a brown paper bag and place it behind the bus shelter at Southampton Princess, Sgt. Grant said.

The Police did as Thompson asked and placed money behind the bus shelter, but not before they hid in the trees along with hotel security to watch the area.

Around 10.30 p.m., Smith was seen in the area, Sgt. Grant said. Police watched him pick up the money, then moved in.

A short foot chase took place, and Smith was arrested by Police.

"Okay, okay, okay, you got me,'' he said, before handing over $322 in US cash and the traveller's cheques.

Thompson later surrendered to Police, and admitted to finding the wallet on the bus, paying a lady who was on the bus $20 not to say anything, writing the note and speaking on the phone.

Defence attorney Mr. Larry Scott requested a social inquiry report on his clients. This was granted by Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis who ordered the pair to return to court on May 29 for sentencing.