Previous Story
Judge dismisses theft charge vs defendant
The theft charge against one of three men accused of stealing copper wire from the Imperial Pacific International Ltd.’s compound in Lower Base was dismissed Friday as a prosecutor’s failed to ask the value of the alleged stolen copper wire.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho however, found probable cause to charge John Jones Sellem with conspiracy to commit theft.
Camacho found no probable cause to believe that the crime of theft was committed and that the 34-year-old Sellem may have committed the offense.
The judge dismissed without prejudice the charge of theft against Sellem, which means the government may re-file the case in the future.
Camacho said the government failed to prove one element of the charge, which is the value of the stolen item.
Copper wire does have value, but the Office of the Attorney General is still required to present evidence or testimony that the items taken has value, Camacho said.
The judge noted that assistant attorney general Jonathan Wilberscheid failed to ask the government’s witness, police detective John K. Wabol, any questions about the value of the items taken.
Steven Pixley appeared as court-appointed counsel for Sellem.
After the hearing, Sellem was remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections. Arraignment will be held today, Aug. 28, at 9am.
According to Wabol, Mario O. Sablan and Frank T. Pangelinan were first arrested last July 2.
Wabol said Sablan, however, identified Sellem as their companion who managed to run away when they stole copper wire at the IPI compound last May 3.
It was Sellem who allegedly directed them to the IPI storage compound in Lower Base.
Wabol said an employee of IPI saw the three suspects stealing copper wire worth $1,018. The employee flagged down two police officers who happened to be in the area.
As a result, Sablan and Pangelinan were arrested at the scene. Sellem allegedly managed to run away. Sellem was arrested recently in Upper Miha in Garapan.
