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| The case will be moved from the magistracy to the High Court because of the huge amount involved |
A staggering $14.6 million (or Php95 million) worth of
jewelry is now said to have been stolen by Filipina domestic helper Carmelita
Nones from her rich Hong Kong employers, in the biggest theft case of its kind
in the city.
Nones, 45, appeared
in Eastern Court
She will now have to go to the Court of First Instance to face
six theft charges against her, as the amount involved is way above what the
lower courts could deal with.
The prosecution alleged that Nones stole 200 jewelry pieces from David Liang, former executive director of New World Development Co, and his wife.
Magistrate Bina Chainrai adjourned the hearing until Jul 14
for plea-taking so the prosecution can amend the charges based on the final
report of the investigators. The prosecutor said the police are still making an
inventory of the stolen items.
In the previous hearing on May 19, more
than 70 additional pieces of jewelry were added to Nones’ alleged loot, raising
the total value of the stolen property to $9 million.
Before this, the amount involved
was increased to $1 million from the initial $100,000 which was the value of
two Piaget watches she was initially accused of stealing following her arrest
on Sept. 4 last year.
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| Gold bars formed part of the loot, prosecutors say (File photo) |
The alleged loot has since grown to $14.6 million as more pawnshop
receipts for jewelry pieces such as gold and diamond necklaces, bracelets and even
gold bars were found by investigators.
The prosecution said some of the stolen items had been
recovered from five pawnshops where Nones and three other persons had allegedly
hocked them.
The three other people had reportedly given statements
saying Nones had asked them to pawn the jewelry. No other details were
disclosed.
Chainrai ordered Nones remanded in custody until the next
hearing.
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