Two pawnshop workers charged for theft

THE Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office indicted two women who were accused of carting away cash and several jewelry amounting to P7,642,379.50.

Cristine Simugan and Estela Gilo will be facing trial on charges of qualified theft.

In his resolution, Assistant City Prosecutor Mario Ley Gidayawan found probable cause to elevate the charges against the two respondents before the Regional Trial Court.

The issue stemmed from the complaint of auditors of Tambunting Pawnshop.

Last May 3, auditors Joanne Santos and Johnalyn Caballero conducted an inventory of the items inside the pawnshop located at the 138 Mall along Colon Street in Cebu City.

Simugan, the vault custodian of the pawnshop, was not around during the inventory.

Since the vault where the jewelry and money were placed could not be opened, the  auditors sought the assistance of a vault supplier in Cebu.

The vault was empty when it was opened.

“Respondents were entrusted with the material possession of the jewelry pawned and the cash received. The loss of the pawned items inside the vault as well as the cash constitute taking with grave abuse of confidence,” the prosecutor said./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL