A wanted man has taken to social media to plead his innocence in the court of public opinion.
Twenty-nine-year-old LeRoss Leandre Burnett, aliases “Bin”, “Ross” and “CJ”, did so yesterday after police issued a bulletin stating he was wanted in connection with a “serious criminal matter”.
However, Burnett, of Longford Place, Waterford Housing Area, St Michael, was adamant he was innocent, alleging that police unfairly targeted him because of his criminal history.
Burnett, who has worked as a security guard or car salesman, has numerous convictions for stealing assorted vehicles, including Transport Board minibuses, a BMW hired car, and cars in which their owners had left the key. He also had convictions for robbery.
But police public relations officer Acting Inspector Rodney Inniss, while advising Burnett to turn himself into the nearest police station, made it clear the force did not bring charges against any person without prior investigations to substantiate the facts.
He advised Burnett that if he had a complaint, he should put it in a written statement to the Police Complaints Authority rather than post it to Facebook.
In the comment section of The Nation’s Facebook page under his bulletin, the father of two shocked readers when he brazenly admitted that two weeks ago, he walked out of a police station after being charged with an offence he claimed he did not commit.
“So because I got in trouble for something before, it sure doesn’t mean that each time something like that happens that you can pick me up and take me before the same magistrate for that person to say, ‘Oh well, you’re back?’ and remand me to prison for something I didn’t do. Madness,” he responded to a reader, before noting he would only turn himself in when police caught, according to him, the “true offenders”.
Burnett added: “The first thing [people] say is, ‘Oh, he again’ or some negative remark, but they have never been in this position so they do not know . . . . I have a beautiful daughter and son and I’m not going to sit in Her Majesty’s prison for something I didn’t do and leave them out here to do what? Be raised by who? Madness.”
Burnett alleged that in 2007, he was charged with 12 offences even though he only committed two. However, he acknowledged he later pleaded guilty to all out of frustration and in an effort “to get all out of my way”. For those matters, he said the judge sentenced him to two years for each offence, to run concurrently, but was released on time served on remand.
“So thanks for all of the comments. I’m having a blast reading them. I didn’t steal anything, I didn’t cut anyone’s throat, break in anyone home or business, so I’m lost here. I did walk out of the station without touching anyone or anything. However, I’m sure when you guys see my charge, they will say I probably assaulted some [officer] in effort to make a [daring] escape,” Burnett added.
Inniss appealed to the public for information regarding the whereabouts of Burnett to contact Hastings or Worthing police stations at 430-7608/430-7614, or police emergency at 211, CrimeStoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.
He advised that it was a serious offence to harbour or assist wanted people. (SDB Media)
