Belize City Resident Remanded to Prison for Handling Stolen Goods Charge

A Belize City resident was remanded to prison after appearing in court for handling stolen goods charge led to the reveal of outstanding court fines. 46-year-old James Copious was arraigned before a Senior Magistrate in Court today where he was read a single charge of handling stolen goods. Copious pleaded guilty and was fined $2,005 which he was given until June 28 to pay in default to 1 year imprisonment. Copious is no stranger to the court, the senior magistrate noted that he has two previous convictions for crimes of dishonesties including theft and handling stolen goods of which he is indebted to the court in the sum of $1,210. The magistrate ordered that Copious pay a minimum of $300 towards the outstanding fees up front but he was unable to do so today and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Copious was arrested this morning after police officers conducted a search at his residence on Kraal Road where a number of items that were reported stolen on February 9 were discovered including 4 Horse Power Medium condense unit, 2 street lamps, a yellow sonic handheld cassette player, 30 headlights, 1 badge water filter tank, 1 PCC Platinum tube for osmosis machine, 2 power supply unit light, 2 televisions and a portable stove, all totaling $2,015. The items were allegedly stolen during a burglary at Lord’s Bank area in Ladyville. This is the second person to be arrested and charged in connection with items stolen from the home. On February 19, Moses Jesus Conorquie was sentenced to 5 months in jail after he pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, specifically a water pressure tank valuing $125.