The man police say preyed on hotel guests staying on the Cable Beach Strip pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of stealing on Monday.
Jeffery Etienne, 20, of Okra Hill, allegedly stole from 20 persons staying at the Nassau Beach Hotel, the Wyndham Nassau Resort and the Radisson Cable Beach Resort.
Police believe that from April to May, he robbed visitors of cash, travelerﾴs cheques, jewelry and other personal items valued at over $20,000.
According to Baha Marﾴs Vice President of Administration, Robert “Sandy” Sands, the arrest was a collaborative effort between all security heads at hotels in Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma and Grand Bahama.
“There was a sharing of intelligence efforts for two and a half weeks that led to this arrest,” he told the Bahama Journal.
“Persons who intend on committing criminal acts in various hotels should be made aware that there is cooperation between all security directors to deter crime that may occur within our respective properties.”
Although Etienne pleaded not guilty, Magistrate Susan Sylvester refused to set bail as she wanted to find out whether he had any prior convictions or other cases pending.
On April 14, Etienne allegedly stole $100 cash, the property of Christine Proskie.
On April 19, he allegedly stole travel cheques in the amount of $140; 40 CDﾴs valued at $15 each and one walkman CD player, valued at $50. On that same date, he allegedly stole travel cheques in the amount of $300 and cash in the amount of $20, the property of Paul Graham.
On May 1, he allegedly stole cash in the amount of $250, the property of Shawn Jefferson.
Court documents also say that on May 5, he allegedly stole $2,770 in cash and one Tag Heuer silver watch valued at $1,950 from Dereck Dobson.
On May 8, he allegedly stole one platinum and gold ladyﾴs citizen watch valued at $1,200; cash in the amount of $1,200; a gold and diamond bracelet valued at $1,200 and a silver Motorola flip cellular valued at $100, the property of Yvonne Gibeaut.
On that same date, Etienne allegedly stole cash in the amount of $2,000, the property of Carole Vasta.
On May 13, he allegedly stole one 14 carat gold chain with a dragon fly pendant valued at $150 and cash in the amount of $400, the property of Nancy Miller.
On the same date, officials also believe he stole one Nokia cell phone valued at $50, one black beaded necklace with a turtle valued at $15 and cash in the amount of $240 from Kimberly Smith.
On May 14, he allegedly stole $30, the property of Kathleen Schuster. On the same date, he allegedly stole cash in the amount of $1,100, the property of Micheal Benes.
On May 15, Etienne allegedly stole cash in the amount of $39, the property of Donna Taylor.
On the same date, he reportedly stole cash in the amount of $370, the property of Elias Roman.
It is alleged that on May 19, Etienne stole $1,060 and a digital camera valued at $600 from Anthony Scola.
On May 16, Etienne allegedly stole $200 cash from, Sheila Rosenberg. On the same date, he allegedly stole $205 cash, the property of Judith Ferrari and he allegedly robbed Janice Peele of $270.
On May 17, Etienne allegedly stole $1,400 cash and one black Citizenﾴs diverﾴs watch valued at $500, the property of Ashley Pearce.
On May 21, Etienne allegedly stole $250 cash, the property of Victoria Pettis; and on May 22, he allegedly stole $1,500 cash from Michael Amorosi.
Etienne is expected to return to court sometime next week where the question of bail will be addressed. He was remanded to Her Majestyﾴs Prison in Fox Hill.
Tosheena Robinson-Blair, The Bahama Journal
