$10,000 settlement for stolen pumpkins

A MALONEY land-owner avoided court by making a $10,000 out of court settlement for $30,000 in stolen pumpkins with a vendor from the area. According to reports, last Thursday the vendor visited his pumpkins at a Maloney estate and determined that they were ready for market. He left and returned next morning to pick them only to find they had already been harvested. A report was made to the Maloney Police Post. However, the vendor was dissatisfied over the police actions and decided to do his own investigations. This led him to the San Juan market where he saw pumpkins being sold.

A report was made at the San Juan Police Post and accompanied by a policeman, the vendor approached another vendor at the market who admitted he purchased the pumpkins from a man who was to return later to collect his money. After confiscating the pumpkins, police officers waited at the market and later that evening the Maloney landowner returned and was arrested. He was taken to the Maloney Police Post and charged with praedial larceny. The landowner explained that the vendor was planting on his land and after warning him to leave on several occasions he took the pumpkins and sold them. Aware of his dilemma, the landowner spoke to the vendor on religious grounds (they both being Muslims) and an accord was reached. The vendor settled for $10,000 and dropped all charges. Constable Garette of the San Juan Police Post spearheaded the inquiries.