Former AQ Auto Rental security guard who stole 3 of companies vehicles and only returned 2 ordered to pay $30,000 in compensation

By Breaking Belize News Staff: A former security guard who took his employer’s vehicle without permission to attend his sister’s wedding and later stole two other vehicles from the same business has been sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $30,000 in compensation.

Lawrence Jamie McNab appeared before Justice Nigel Pilgrim in the High Court on Wednesday, where the court accepted a sentence recommended as part of a plea agreement between Crown Counsel Maria Santana-Nembhard and defence attorney Oscar Selgado.

McNab had been indicted for taking a conveyance without authority and two counts of theft involving vehicles belonging to AQ Belize Auto Rental for Less.

The court heard that on May 7, 2024, while employed as a security guard at the rental company, McNab took his employer’s vehicle without permission and used it to attend his sister’s wedding.

He later stole two Chevrolet Equinox SUVs from the company’s Ladyville premises. One was a white 2013 Chevrolet Equinox bearing licence plate BZ-68130, valued at $30,000, which was taken on May 23, 2024. The second was a red 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, also valued at $30,000, which was stolen on May 27.

McNab later assisted police in recovering two of the three vehicles involved in the case. The third vehicle was never recovered.

Justice Pilgrim ordered McNab to pay AQ Belize Auto Rental $30,000 in compensation through monthly installments of $500, beginning on or before September 7, 2026, and continuing on the first Monday of each month until the full amount is paid.

He must also pay a $5,000 court fine by December 31, 2027. Failure to pay the fine will result in 12 months’ imprisonment.

Under the one-year probation order, McNab must report to and comply with the instructions of a Community Rehabilitation Officer, attend all required appointments and counselling sessions, and notify the officer of any change in his residence.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Pilgrim considered McNab’s remorse, his offer to compensate his former employer and his prospects for rehabilitation.

However, the judge also noted that McNab had been entrusted with a job at the business before betraying that trust, and that the thefts appeared to have involved some level of planning. The offences also caused a significant financial loss to the victim and the rental company.

Justice Pilgrim concluded that probation, compensation and the fine amounted to a just sentence in the circumstances.

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