Former employee charged in $500k jewellery heist

(CNS): A woman who was an employed at Mitzi’s Fine Jewellery has been charged with a robbery in relation to a hold-up at the store last November. Madeiny Rodrigues-Ebanks-Pol (38) and Adrian Gea (32) are charged with stealing more than $500,000 worth of jewels during the daylight robbery at the West Bay Road shop. Ebanks-Pol was a clerk at the store and earlier this year she was found guilty of theft when she admitted stealing several pieces worth around $26,000.

The robbery took place at lunchtime on 18 November, when a man armed with a handgun held up the store. He reportedly made off with around $516,201 worth of unique designer jewellery.

Since then, Ebanks-Pol was accused of theft from the store between the 13 November and the day of the robbery. The former store clerk, who was described as a “workhorse” during her sentencing hearing and in desperate need, admitted stealing the jewels after she was confronted with CCTV evidence. She told the authorities where she had fenced the stolen goods, allowing the jewellery owner to recover a few pieces.

However, none of the jewels stolen during the alleged robbery were ever recovered.

The couple both denied the robbery allegations and Gea, who is also charged with possession of an imitation weapon with intent to commit robbery, also pleaded not guilty to that charge. They were bailed to return to court for trial in May 2017.