admitted stealing purses from parked cars.

Rick R. Simmons pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing the purses of Donaria MacDonald and Barbara Whitecross from cars parked at Devonshire Post Office.

Insp. Peter Duffy, prosecuting, said the thefts occurred between 6.20 and 7.25 p.m. on Saturday.

Both MacDonald and Whitecross left their cars unlocked. When Whitecross discovered the theft she walked along Orange Valley Road searching for her purse. On her return, she heard a branch breaking and saw Simmons in a tree.

Simmons ran off shouting, Insp. Duffy said. He was caught with the purses on Jubilee Road by Police.

MacDonald's bag and its contents were worth $150. Whitecross had $114 cash in her purse, which had a total value of $300.

Insp. Duffy said Simmons, 29, had a previous conviction of breaking and entering and theft, for which he served nine months in prison.

Mr. John Barritt, defending, asked that Simmons' financial situation and cooperation be considered.

The Wor. John Judge ordered a social inquiry with a view to a community service sentence. Simmons was bailed for $500.