A restaurant operator charged with multiple offences relating to larceny of a motor vehicle had his bail application denied in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, last Friday.

Charged with larceny of motor vehicle and conspiracy is 30-year-old Sheldon Carter of a Linstead, St Catherine address.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences and denied any involvement in the incident. The court heard that the rightful owner, the complainant, placed an advertisement in the newspaper on April 19 for sale of a Subaru motor car.

Allegations are that, on April 20, the accused man contacted the owner expressing an interest to purchase the vehicle.

The court was told that photos of the vehicle were sent via Whatsapp Messenger to the accused man's phone.

The court heard that, later that day, the accused and another man met with the complainant in New Kingston and the vehicle was test driven.

The vehicle was then driven to a mechanic. However, the complainant was tricked and one of the men jumped into the vehicle and drove away.

Allegations are that the accused man then jumped into his Honda motor car and drove off in the direction of the stolen vehicle.

The court was told that the complainant immediately made a call to one of the numbers that had previously called him and enquired about where the car was going.

He was allegedly told that the vehicle was being test-driven again and he immediately contacted the police.

The investigation was assisted by the complainant who traced the accused man's location to Linstead where the accused man was picked up.

He was arrested after a question-and-answer session. The other person being sought is still on the run and the motor car has not been recovered.

Carter was remanded until July 22.