DH admits stealing 100 jewelry pieces from employer

 

Defendant admitted to stealing at least 100 pieces of jewelry (Photo for illustration only)

A Filipina domestic worker who admitted stealing around 100 pieces of various pieces of jewelry valued at no less than $684,000 from her elderly employers’ daughter was told Friday, May 9, that she is looking at 18 months in jail at the maximum.

Sherelle Lyn V. Dajay, 40 years old, appeared in Eastern Magistracy and pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, and was sent back to jail before her sentencing on June 9, while the owner of the jewelry calculate the total amount she had lost in the thefts.

But an incomplete assessment based on facts read out in court and admitted by Dajay, put the running tally for the value of the jewelry that was stolen at more than $684,000 - $203,650 for one lot, and $480,700 for another.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

There were 22 other items whose total value has yet to be ascertained as they could no longer be found, having been pawned much earlier and could no longer be redeemed, according to the prosecution.

Prosecution said the owner is still negotiating with the pawnshops to redeem some of the pawned jewelry at half the cost.

Magistrate Kestrel Lam said he would use 18 months in jail as a starting point in sentencing, easing the defence lawyer’s concern that Dajay would spend a longer time in detention than her actual sentence.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Dajay was arrested on Oct 24 last year after the victim, Christine Sin, returned to the home of her parents on Black’s Link in Happy Valley for the first time after it had undergone renovation starting in February of the same year.

Dajay was said to have worked as caregiver for the couple for four years before this.

Sin realized then that a box of jewelry she had left inside an unlocked cabinet in her parents’ house had gone missing. 

Basahin ang detalye!

When she confronted Dajay, the latter admitted to the theft, and presented some pawnshop receipts for some of the missing items. 

Sin called the police.

When police arrived at the house, a search was conducted, and a pink Link’s watch valued at $4,300 was found inside her bag, which Sin identified as her property. Dajay readily admitted guilt before the police, and said “sorry.”

Further investigation revealed a huge cache of jewelry that Dajay had stolen between March 17 and October 12 last year, based on receipts issued by two pawnshops.

The items which numbered around 100 pieces included a set of rings and earrings in platinum and diamonds, a platinum necklace, several number of jewelry pieces in gold and diamond, and at least five expensive watches.

The second theft charge pertained to the pink watch found inside her bag, which was said to have been stolen sometime in September last year.

“The total amount of the jewelry that was lost cannot be determined,” said the prosecution.

Magistrate Lam gave the prosecution a month to make its final submission as the total value of the jewelry that was stolen, and for the defence to be ready for mitigation.