Alleged thief charged in court

CEBU, Philippines - A 21-year-old man is facing charges for snatching the necklace of a woman at knifepoint while inside a public utility jeepney.

Prosecutors elevated the robbery case against Kail Jhon Celis to court after the suspect chose not to answer the charge at the prosecutor’s level.

“Accused armed with a knife, with deliberate intent, with intent to gain and with violence against or intimidations of persons, did then and there point  said  knife at one Sulpicia Salde, and at the same time declared hold-up while the latter was boarding a passenger jeep along J. Luna Street, Barrio Luz,” the charge sheet reads.

The necklace is reportedly worth P11,000. Prosecutors recommended a P100,000 bail for Celis’ temporary liberty.

In her affidavit, Salde, 47, a resident of Barangay Apas, Cebu City, said she boarded a jeepney with the 62-B route in Barangay Banilad and when the vehicle reached J. Luna Street, a man boarded and sat beside her. Moments later, the man pulled a knife out, pointed it at her, and declared a hold-up. The man then took off with her necklace.

Salde said she went to the Barrio Luz Barangay Hall to ask for help. She also reported the incident to the Mabolo Police Station.

Around 6 a.m. the following day, September 23, Salde received a call from a barangay tanod and was told to proceed to the barangay hall to identify a man who was in the barangay’s custody.

“That without any further delay, I went to barangay hall, therein I positively identified the suspect as the very same persons who robbed me inside the passenger jeepney and carry away my silver necklace that was recovered during the follow up operation,” Salde said in her affidavit. (FREEMAN)