The theft charge against one of three men accused of stealing copper wire from the Imperial Pacific International Ltd.\u2019s compound in Lower Base was dismissed Friday as a prosecutor\u2019s failed to ask the value of the alleged stolen copper wire.<\/p>\n
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho however, found probable cause to charge John Jones Sellem with conspiracy to commit theft.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The judge dismissed without prejudice the charge of theft against Sellem, which means the government may re-file the case in the future.<\/p>\n
Camacho said the government failed to prove one element of the charge, which is the value of the stolen item.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The judge noted that assistant attorney general Jonathan Wilberscheid failed to ask the government\u2019s witness, police detective John K. Wabol, any questions about the value of the items taken.<\/p>\n
Steven Pixley appeared as court-appointed counsel for Sellem.<\/p>\n
After the hearing, Sellem was remanded into the custody of the Department of Corrections. Arraignment will be held today, Aug. 28, at 9am.<\/p>\n
According to Wabol, Mario O. Sablan and Frank T. Pangelinan were first arrested last July 2.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It was Sellem who allegedly directed them to the IPI storage compound in Lower Base.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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