Car ‘thief‘ charged in court

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has indicted a 36-year old man after finding probable cause against him for carnapping.

Associate prosecution attorney Jennifer Karen Alo-Leyson recommended the filing of the criminal case in court against Almar Jimenez, resident of Canduman, Mandaue City, for allegedly stealing the motorcycle of Rechie Vecina, 29, on July 10, 2015.

Leyson also recommended P180,000 bail for Jimenez’s temporary liberty. The recommendations were approved by deputy city prosecutor Maria Luisa Ratilla.

Vecina, resident of Guadalupe, Cebu City, alleged that Jimenez stole his motorcycle worth P35,000 on July 10, 2015 at around 7 a.m. while it was parked outside his rented house.

The complainant claimed that his landlady, Lourdes Garcia, allegedly saw the accused near the motorcycle before it was stolen. Garcia even executed an affidavit in favor of the complainant that she saw her nephew, Jimenez, near the motorcycle. The witness added that she even asked Jimenez what was he doing near the motorcycle. The accused allegedly told her that he was fixing something.

The accused was given enough time to answer the complaint but failed to submit his counter-affidavit.

“The uncontroverted allegations of the complainant and of his witness support a finding that Almar took the subject motorcycle, without the knowledge and consent of its owner,” the resolution reads. —(FREEMAN)