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| The alleged theft happened in the carpark of Aberdeen Marina Club (photo from Facebook) |
A Filipino driver was jailed for six months after being found guilty at Eastern Court today of stealing a handbag inside a Tesla car that had been left unlocked by its owner when she parked at the Aberdeen Marina Club.
No direct evidence pointed to Dionese Medallon, 46 years old, but Deputy
Magistrate Chung Wing-sze cited “irresistible inferences grounded on facts” to
find him guilty of the theft, which took place last Jan. 17.
Prosecution had alleged that he opened the car door and took away a
brown handbag on the front passenger seat, which contained an Apple computer, a
wallet with $2,000 cash inside, as well as the Tesla’s key which was left in
the ignition, for a total loss of about $25,000.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
The case against Medallon revolved around the fact that he moved the
Alphard he was driving from where he had earlier parked, to a spot beside the Tesla car,
before driving off less than two minutes later.
Magistrate Chung described as incredible Medallon’s testimony that he
moved the car because it was too hot where he was originally parked when it was
winter, that he was too busy cleaning the second row of the Alphard’s seats to
notice that the Tesla was unlocked and had a handbag in it, and that he drove
off because he was called to pick up his employer’s child.
She also noted that no one else got near the car during the 20 minutes
that it was parked, ruling out any other possible suspect.
She found the three prosecution witnesses – the
Tesla’s owner, a security guard and a police officer –honest and reliable.
In sentencing Medallon, she said the value of the stolen items may be
insignificant but they contained vital personal information.
She also said the theft did not involve detailed planning but was more
opportunistic.
Medallon, who has worked as a family driver since 2022, has been fired from his job due to the case. He is married to a Filipina who also works in Hong Kong as a
domestic helper. They have three sons, aged 20, 21 and 23.
(Read the previous story: https://www.sunwebhk.com/2025/09/pinoy-driver-denies-stealing-bag-from.html)
