The SUN HK : Filipino driver jailed 6 months for stealing from 5 parked vehicles

By Daisy CL Mandap

The thefts happened on busy streets of Wan Chai, including one across the MTR station

A Filipino driver who was earning $17,000 a month was sentenced to six months imprisonment at Eastern Magistracy earlier today, Thursday, after he pleaded guilty to five counts of stealing from parked vehicles in Wanchai between May and June this year.

Edmundo P. Cayabyab, 49, told the court through his lawyer that he was forced to steal because of financial problems, caused mainly by his brother needing medical treatment because of a kidney ailment. He was described as his family’s breadwinner.

The lawyer also told Magistrate Ada Yim that Cayabyab had sent home the proceeds from his crime, which included $56,000 cash. He did not have the means to compensate his victims.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

After deducting 2/3 from the prescribed sentence, Magistrate Yim imposed a jail term of four months imprisonment on Cayabyab for his first two offences, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The magistrate imposed a separate jail term of four months for offences 3 to 5, but ordered two months of this sentence to run concurrently with the previous sentence, making a total of six months imprisonment.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Cayabyab pleaded guilty to each of the five counts of theft charges filed against him, which all involved property being taken from parked vehicles, four of them in Wanchai and the fifth, in Causeway Bay.

After the defendant was arrested by the police, some of the stolen items were found in his flat, while he confessed to throwing away the others in various places in Wanchai. He also admitted the offences in a statement he gave to police.

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The first theft happened on May 23 outside Exit A3 of the Wan Chai MTR station on Hennesy Road. Cayabyab stole a black backpack which contained $2,000 cash, HK ID card, Home Return Permit, driving licence and credit card, all belonging to Li Hin Wong Galen.

The second incident took place a week later outside Bowrington Road Market in Causeway Bay. The defendant took from another parked vehicle a Muji backpack containing a Prada wallet, driving licence, HKID card, three credit cards, three ATMs and $12,000 cash belonging to Lam Wai Yik.

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The third theft happened on Jun 7 outside 112 Johnston Road in Wanchai. Taken from another vehicle was $2,000 cash and one air pod belonging to Ho Man Hei.

The fourth case took place on Jun 13 outside Chiu Hing Noodles shop on Hennesy Road. Cayabyab took away a Xiaomi backpack and one grey slingbag, along with a Burberry wallet, three ATM cards and $40,000 cash – the property of Liu Ka Lok.

The fifth and last incident happened on Jun 19 outside 178 Johnston Road in Wanchai, where Leung Man Tat lost his backpack, Porter wallet, HKID card, two ATM cards and one credit card to Cayabyab.

Police on patrol intercepted Cayabyab in Wanchai and later arrested him. He had been in police custody since.