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| The theft case will be moved to the High Court because of the huge amount involved |
A Filipina domestic helper who is the main suspect in a
$14.6 million jewelry theft in her employer’s house in Deepwater Bay Eastern Court
Carmelita G. Nones, 45, was charged with six counts of theft
involving about 200 jewelry pieces, watches and gold bars from the house of her
employer, former New World Development executive director David Liang.
Two of her relatives and a third Filipina were also charged in
two separate cases of handling stolen goods, allegedly for helping Nones hide
and hock her loot at various Hong Kong pawnshops.
No plea was taken from any of the defendants, and they were all remanded in custody. The prosecution
said it would prepare the documents for the consolidation of the cases and their transfer to the High Court.
Magistrate Stephanie Tsui ordered the charges read to defendants
individually: first, to Nones; then her niece, Maricris G. Nones who faces five
counts of handling stolen goods; and then her friend Cristina Alagna, who is
charged with seven counts of handling.
Last to be called was Marina G. Biala, said to be Nones’
sister, who was charged with one count of handling stolen goods, though the
particulars of her case were not read out due to lack of time.
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| A gold Piaget watch like this one opened the lid to the alleged multi-million dollar theft |
The alleged theft, the biggest ever involving a Filipino
domestic helper, was reportedly discovered on Sept 4 last year when Liang reportedly
looked for his gold Piaget watch worth $100,000 that he had left in his
bathroom for some time.
Afterwards, a matching Piaget watch belonging to Liang’s
wife, Helen Frances Liang, was also
found missing. Nones allegedly admitted taking both watches.
Nones was arrested and initially charged with stealing the
two watches worth a total of $200,000 between Jul 27 and Aug 11 this
year.
But as the Liangs began an inventory of their jewelry and ornaments
collection, they discovered that a lot more items were missing.
The thefts allegedly happened over a 15-month period, from
May 13, 2018 to August 11, 2019.
Nones’ alleged initial haul was itemized in charge no. 6.
They included three bangles, three bracelets, two pairs of earrings, two
necklaces and four rings belonging to Mrs Liang.
The names of Maricris and Cristina reportedly appeared in
the pawnshop receipts for the stolen jewelry, resulting in the filing of
charges against them.
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The prosecution accused the pair of receiving the goods and
pawning them for Nones despite knowing that they were stolen from the employer.
A separate haul of stolen jewelry pieces was reportedly
found in a bag that Biala had been keeping for Nones.
Biala offered to post a $6,000 bail, and said she could stay
in her employer’s house, but Magistrate Tsui rejected her application, saying
she has no local ties and might abscond.
The magistrate also said the amount involved was huge, the
case was very serious and the evidence was strong.
Tsui adjourned all three cases until Nov 9, when they will
all be officially moved to the High Court.
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