A local merchant has blasted the judicial system for not keeping criminals off the streets.

Gary Mello, owner of the Dessel Fruit Stall on Woodlands Road in Pembroke, vented his frustration after being targeted for the third time by a thief he claims is currently out on bail for another theft.

"I know who it is and when he did it,'' Mr. Mello told The Royal Gazette .

"I know who it is, the Police know who it is and the Magistrate knows what he's (the thief) doing, but the system has let him go.

"It's time to get rid of the bleeding heart judges who are willing to let criminals back on the streets. When someone has worn out their three strikes, they should lock them up.

"I know it is only a matter of time before he's locked away for those other matters, but in the meantime Bermuda's being terrorised by this individual,'' he stressed. "I'm to the point of exasperation.'' Mr. Mello, of Devonshire, said his troubles began two weeks ago when he discovered that someone had ripped the padlock off his stall and stole $900 worth of codfish, chocolates, pears and onions, plus $70 in cash.

"Four days ago I got a phone call from someone telling me who the thief was,'' he said.

He said the caller told him that a bunch of guys were getting "high'' when the suspect suggested breaking into Mr. Mello's stall.

"A guy with a little red car provided the transportation,'' Mr. Mello claimed. "The thief disposed of it (the produce) in the back-of-town area.'' And Mr. Mello alleged that a businessman purchased the produce for $200.

"I lost $900 worth of goods, someone else bought it for $200, and it was all shot up someone's arm,'' he claimed.

Mr. Mello said his fruit stall, which was set up 11 weeks ago to pay for the university education of his two children, was also visited by the thief last Tuesday.

Thwarted by a dead-bolt lock, he said the thief tried to dismantle the corner of his stall.

"But he was disturbed by someone at the Bermuda Athletic Association field and fled empty-handed,'' Mr. Mello explained.

And he said he arrived at his stall on Thursday morning to discover that someone once again had tried to force their way in.

"They couldn't undo the dead-bolt so they tried to dismantle the door,'' Mr.

Mello said.

He pointed out that he no longer kept anything of value in the stall overnight.

"In that first hit he (the thief) basically wiped out a month's worth of work,'' Mr. Mello added. "If somebody's hungry just come by during the day, I'm here until six and I'll give them something to eat. But just don't break in.''