$25K bail for man accused of stealing food stamps

The Superior Court has imposed a $25,000 cash bail on a man accused of stealing thousands worth of food stamps from a local grocery store.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho imposed Monday a $25,000 cash bail on Michael Jesse Aguon Manalo, who allegedly broke into New CK Market and stole thousands worth in food stamp coupons and other items.

Manalo, 30, is charged with burglary and theft. He also has two active bench warrants for failing to appear for his arraignment in two separate burglary and theft cases.

After his bail hearing, Manalo was remanded back to Department of Corrections’ custody and was ordered to return to court on Oct. 23 for a preliminary hearing; his arraignment was set for Oct. 30.

According to the complaint against Manalo, the New CK Market store manager told investigators that when he entered the establishment on the morning of Oct. 4, he noticed that something was wrong.

He said he saw two plastic bags filled with store items placed near the entrance. He then went around the store’s exterior and saw that the back door was open.

About $3,000 in food stamp coupons, $5,000 cash, $1,000 worth of assorted cigarettes, an iPhone 6 valued at $1,000, and other equipment valued at $1,200 were allegedly stolen from the establishment.

Manalo was arrested after detectives reviewed surveillance footage from the store and identified him based on previous encounters with him.

Manalo allegedly admitted during questioning to breaking into the store. Manalo reportedly identified himself in the surveillance footage as the person inside the store, and the person who tossed a white plastic bag over a fence with a blue bag containing food stamp coupons.