Bjorn Burke, Staff Reporter

A woman accused of buying a cellular phone stolen from Jamaica Public Service (JPS) president and CEO, Kelly Tomblin, was granted bail when she appeared before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Charged with receiving stolen property is bartender Alecia Smith, who previously pleaded not guilty to possession of stolen property.

The Crown led evidence that a Samsung Galaxy S5 cellular phone, property of the JPS CEO, was taken outside of her company office in New Kingston. It is believed that on March 8, the CEO had her mobile phone, initially believed to value $90,000, taken by a man who grabbed the gadget and made good his escape on a waiting motorcycle being driven by another man.

The court heard that the device was tracked, leading police to the accused woman in east Kingston. She reportedly told the officials that she had purchased the device for $25,000.

She was subsequently arrested and charged.

The police reportedly have both the rider and the pillion in the incident in custody. The court heard that the police were not opposed to bail for the accused woman.

There was a discrepancy with the price of the smartphone, in which Smith's lawyer brought to the attention of the court. She stated that the phone is valued at $70,000 rather than $90,000.

The accused woman was granted conditional bail in the sum of $50,000.

She is to report to the Papine Police Station on Mondays and Fridays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.