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Dominican Rep nationals confess to burglarising home of elderly woman

- beg court for 2nd chance
The two confessed thieves Graciano Calderon, 26, front and Jeral Palmer, 25. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Two men, Jeral Palmer, 25, and Graciano Calderon, 26, appeared before Senior Magistrate Tamia N. Richards in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday June 26, 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary.

The men were unrepresented and are currently in police custody as they did not file for any bail. The offence was indictable but the accused opted not to have their case tried in the High Court, hence their guilty plea before magistrate Richards.

The two men, Dominican nationals who spoke through an interpreter while in court, pleaded to the senior magistrate to give them a second chance as, according to them, it was the first time they had done something so “stupid” and are regretting it.

Both told the court that they are very ashamed and embarrassed to face their parents, friends and the victim who Calderon described as ‘elderly’ as they vowed never to do such a thing again.

Gold jewellery missing

The facts of the case against the two are that on May 20, 2015 at around 9:30am the complainant Ms Nadine Badal left her Pockwood Pond home intact and on her return around 5:00pm she discovered her sliding door open. When she entered her home she immediately noticed that there were items missing and proceeded to make a report to the police.

Police visited the scene and on May 22, 2015 they accosted Palmer. The court heard that Palmer at first denied committing the crime but was taken to his Lower Estate home where a search was conducted but none of the stolen items were discovered.

On the same day Calderon was taken into custody by police and they were separately interviewed. The two then both confessed to being involved in the crime. Calderon assisted the police in recovering the items he had. Palmer also admitted his involvement and by telephone he got his girlfriend to assist the police to recover the items he had.

All the items were recovered; however, some of the stones on some of the jewellery were missing and not recovered. The items stolen included a 14c nurse’s pin, 14c gold earring, 14c gold chain, 14c cross pendant, 1c gold chain with pendant, bracelets (Brazilian), eight 14c gold rings and $5 cash, all totalling a cash value of $4,825.00.

Character witnesses

Palmer’s employer Mr Smith was in the court to stand in defense of this character and told the court that the accused has been working with him for over five years. He described him as a very hard worker and was surprised that he got himself in such an act.

Mr Smith told the court that he is confident that once given a second chance Palmer would never do such a thing ever again as the consequences have since been severe on him, especially as he had to send his children away since he was not free to effectively take care of them.

The employer also told the court because he too would love to give the man a second chance he would re-employ Palmer.

On the part of Calderon, his father and a friend both asked the court to be merciful, saying what was done was foolish and acts of youth making mistakes. The father said he cared for several children and always told them he would give them only one chance at a mistake and if they repeated they would face the fire on their own. Standing in the court for the first time for his son, he said it would be the first and last time he would do so for his son.

“I don’t support wrong doings but all humans make mistakes. I tell my children they could get away with one mistake not more,” the father said.

He said he agreed his son committed a crime and should be punished as he must learn that he must respect the law of any country where he resides.

The two are to be sentenced on July 22, 2015.

20 Responses to “Dominican Rep nationals confess to burglarising home of elderly woman”

  • im am spanish (30/06/2015, 08:34) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am Spanish and let me tell you IT IS A SHAME for me to read this news. HOW do you do thing like that ... shame.
    • tretretrete (30/06/2015, 09:25) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
      You are a Dominicana not Spanish, Spanish are from Spain you are not. Your official language is Spanish get it right! However, it's not the first time a Dominicana has committed a crime, so stop acting like it's a first.
      • (30/06/2015, 10:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        Our official language is not spanish... is castellano, get it right!!!!!
    • nnn (03/07/2015, 22:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      jjjjjjj idiota
  • vex (30/06/2015, 09:09) Like (4) Dislike (8) Reply
    Leave the spanish people alone mark got them to vote ndp
  • wize up (30/06/2015, 09:44) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    them sorry because they got caught; how long has this been going on: no disrespect to anyone but a number of documented workers residing in the territory are resorting to crime to supplement their income( immigration reform is the way forward)
    • gucci mane (30/06/2015, 11:14) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply

      this happening a long time. Only person missing is the fat one from d*lt@

  • west (30/06/2015, 10:48) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Deport them backside
  • Angry Victim (30/06/2015, 11:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can I please have my stolen jewelry back! And no thanks to the people who buy the stolen goods. You all deserve to go to jail on theft charges also!
  • SERIUOS (30/06/2015, 12:49) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a very serious case suppose the lady was home and they had beat her up or even kill her it is time the government stop playing with these criminals who is coming here and destroying our little island done deal fix the immigration system it is to loose send his /// back where he come from no second chance he went and destroy her freedom by having her been scared to be in her home.
    • Hmmmm (01/07/2015, 06:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Because they are not locals???? Why they don't punish the boat & I gone thief. Mr. penn.?? Send him balo.
  • Vez (30/06/2015, 13:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    All country do samething bvi people too
  • Lolita (30/06/2015, 13:49) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Send them criminal home you don't need that type of behavior here
  • careful (30/06/2015, 16:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Work or no work people will commit crime,it is just the work of the devil and badminded people.Check out most of the countries and the crime committed they tend to be outsiders mostly those out of a job ,looking extra cash to send back home and the criminal elements that they brought with them. See what happen in SK with Bounty Killer's brother stealing a worker's phone,thank God for the cameras and I am certain with the amount of money they do make he can buy more than phone. Oh to all when travelling abroad individually or as a group please reminded not to step out of your ambassadorial role and do anything foolish to bring down yourself, your family and country
  • finger print (30/06/2015, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Immigration the hand writing is on the wall. Up grade
  • faith (03/07/2015, 00:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    In every country there is crime and not only those who don't have a job do the crime in life people don't think before they do stuff .
  • Local (06/07/2015, 13:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Strupes mamaguevos


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