Helper hides stolen money in leg bandage

MANILA, Philippines - A store helper was charged with qualified theft Tuesday after police found P68,300 missing from the store’s cash box hidden in the folds of the bandage on his leg.

Roger Tenero, 27, reported for work that day with a bandaged right leg, telling his employer Nelson Ty that he was wounded in an accident. He walked with a slight limp, but Tenero assured his employer that he can still work.

Ty usually closes his Eastern Gold Store for afternoon break, with all his employees leaving the store.

However, police said Tenero hid in the stockroom, opened the cash box and stole P68,300. Ty later discovered the money was missing. He called on Binondo’s anti-crime chief, Police Officer 3 Ber Navarro, who discovered Tenero hiding among the boxes in the stockroom.

Tenero vehemently denied that he stole the money and claimed he was just sleeping in the room. He also challenged the police to arrest him if the missing money is found in his possession.

During investigation, Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut noticed that Tenero kept changing his limp from right to left. This prompted Yabut to examine the bandage of Tenero’s “wound.” When the bandage was unwrapped, no wound was found but wads of bills were discovered neatly tucked in the bandage.

Yabut counted the money, which totaled P68,300, the exact amount of money reported missing by Tenero’s employer.

Tenero broke down and admitted stealing the money for his children’s school tuition. He claimed he could not believe the police would discover his criminal intent and his plan was foolproof.