Turk convicted for stealing money

CEBU, Philippines - A Turk was convicted of theft for stealing money from a department store at the North Reclamation Area, Cebu, sometime in May 2009.

Regional Trial Court Branch 18 Judge Gilbert Moises ordered Murat Altuntas, 32, to six to eight years in prison and to return to the store owner the P34,000 stolen.

Altuntas was with compatriots Yunos Baijan and Zeyner Surhan during the incident. The three were pretending to be customers and approached cashier Allona Villa to exchange their $100 bill into peso. As Villa was taking the cashbox for the currency to be exchanged, Surhan told her that they were looking for peso bills with silver markings.

Villa allowed Surhan to scan the peso bills in the cashbox while her two male companions were talking to other sales personnel. When Surhan told Villa that she was not able to find the bills with silver markings, the others looked further into the cashbox. They then told Villa to look for another cash box. Villa came up with a new box and the three searched inside but still found nothing.

The three then left. Villa later found out that P34,000 was missing from one of the boxes.

CCTV operator Mary Ann Cabahug testified before the court that footage showed Surhan grabbed a bundle of money from the cashbox which was on top of the counter and placed it in her bag while Villa bent down to get another cashbox.

However, Judge Moises said even if Altuntas was not the one who took the money, the latter conspired with the others to commit the crime. The three were also arrested together which confirms their relationship and connection.

The three were able to post a bail of P22,000 after being indicted by the court but only Altuntas was arraigned. Baijan and Surhan have not shown up for their proceedings and are still at large. 

Fake phones

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation-7 arrested a man for allegedly selling a fake Samsung Galaxy S4 online, last Wednesday outside a restaurant in the North Reclamation Area.

Agent Bernard dela Cruz said the arrest of Mathwell Fernandez, 30, came after Mischelle Royeca, a resident of Consolacion, Cebu, lodged a complaint before their office.

Fernandez was arrested through an entrapment operation.

Last Tuesday, Royeca went to the NBI to file a complaint against a certain Edil Avergonzado, who was later identified as Fernandez, for allegedly selling her a fake Samsung S4 last August 23.

She said on that day she was browsing at sulit.com and found a Samsung Galazy S3 mini being offered for sale by Fernandez for P8,999. She then called Fernandez who later offered her a Samsung S4 for P18,990. Samsung S4s normally fetch P30,990.

In the process of their conversation, Royeca said they agreed that a certain John Cabuenas will deliver the item to her at the parking lot of a mall located at the North Reclamation Area, Mabolo, Cebu City, between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

On August 23, she said after the transaction was completed, she left the area without checking the item first. Upon reaching home, she said she was shocked upon learning it was fake.

Royeca said she texted and called Fernandez but all her calls were rejected. This prompted her to file a complaint before the NBI.

Acting on the complaint, Dela Cruz instructed agent Donaver Inesin to call Fernandez and say he is willing to purchase a Samsung S4.

Fernandez sent Joseph Valiente, a deliveryman, to deliver the item to the poseur-buyer. Dela Cruz then invited Valiente to their office for an investigation. Valiente told the NBI that he normally received P300 to P500 from Fernandez as commission for every unit he delivers.

Fernandez was eventually traced and the NBI recovered two fake Samsung S4s and a .45 cal. pistol from him.

Fernandez admitted he sold fake Samsungs. He said he purchased them in Colon St. for P10,000 and then sold them online for P15,000 to P18,000. He also said he has been doing this for a year now.

Dela Cruz reminded the public to scrutinize the items being sold online.

“Beware buying products online,” he said, adding that this case should serve as a lesson to the public.

Dela Cruz added that they will be coordinating with Samsung Philippines as to the matter.

Charges for estafa and illegal possession of firearms were also filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday afternoon by the NBI against Fernandez.  (FREEMAN)