3 Turkish nationals facing theft charges

CEBU, Philippines - Criminal charges for theft were filed yesterday in court against three Turkish nationals who allegedly victimized several business establishments in Cebu, including money changers and department stores.

The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted Murat Altuntas, Yunos Baijan and Zeyner Ince Surhan all of Istanbul, Turkey for theft following complaint filed by a cashier of White Gold Club Department Store who accused them of stealing money from the cash box.

The three Turks allegedly approached cashier Allona Villa around 8:45 p.m. on February 1 to exchange a $100 for peso.

According to Villa, as she grabbed the cash box to exchange the dollar, Surhan told her that she was looking for a peso bill with silver markings.

Surhan allegedly scanned for the peso bills with silver markings while her two male companions looked on. Surhan, however, did not find any bill with silver markings, prompting her companions to look further in the cash box.

The two other accused allegedly told Villa to look in the other cash box. Villa said she then turned her back from the counter to look at the drawers but still found nothing.

Villa said she told the three accused that she found nothing, prompting the three to leave. However, when Villa checked the cash box she found out that a total of P34,100 in cash was already missing.

Villa tried to chase the suspects but failed to catch them as they had already boarded a vehicle. Villa reported the incident to the police and found out that the three are also the suspects in several theft cases victimizing money changers.

The prosecutor’s office has recommended P22,000 bail for each of the suspects for their temporary liberty. – Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)