Driver nabbed for stealing boss’ jewelry worth P600T

CEBU, Philippines - A 38-year-old driver accused of stealing more than half a million pesos worth of jewelry from his employer was arrested in Balamban town last Friday night.

Juan Samodio, 38, was reportedly hiding in Barangay Cantipla, Cebu City for five days before operatives of the Cebu City Intelligence Branch (CIB) caught him roaming around Sitio Nangka, Balamban at around 9 p.m. last Friday.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, CIB chief, revealed that Samodio fled to Cantimpla after he allegedly victimized his own employer, Matimona Pabriga, inside her home in Barangay Tulay in Minglanilla town last Saturday.

Santander revealed that Samodio, who has been Pabriga’s driver for quite some time, allegedly stole an estimated P600, 000 worth of  jewelry from the victim’s house before fleeing.

Based on the accounts of those living in Pabriga’s house, Samodio often stole from his employer. Santander said that Samodio’s tendency to steal from his boss was attributed to his history as an illegal drug user.

Santander added that they were able to trace Samodio’s whereabouts when one of their informants spotted the suspect roaming around in Barangay Cantipla.

Samodio was reportedly staying with a relative there.

Santander and CIB operatives, in coordination with operatives from the Minglanilla Police Station, conducted a hot pursuit operation against Samodio, which eventually led to his arrest in Balamban.

Of the articles that Samodio stole from Pabriga, only P10, 000 worth of receipts and more than P1, 000 cash was recovered from the suspect’s possession.

The jewelry he had stolen from Pabriga may have already been pawned, Santander added.

In a separate interview, Samodio admitted to the robbery but said he did it out of spite against Pabriga, whom he described as a very cruel employer. He also added that he only stole his employer’s jewelry to help his family.

However, despite his admission to stealing P600, 000 worth of jewelry, Samodio denied that he frequently stole from Pabriga.  (FREEMAN)