An 18-year-old domestic worker appeared in court today after she was accused of stealing from her employer’s home. Santos Abigail Balona was charged with handling stolen goods when she appeared in Magistrate’s Court #1 in Belize City today.
Balona pleaded not guilty to the charge and was offered bail of $400 plus one surety of the same amount.
The charge against Balona derives from an incident that occurred on Monday, September 16. Police reports say Balona kept in her possession a red I-pod and a Tommy Hilfiger brand wristwatch with knowledge that the items were stolen. The items have a combined value of $360.
Balona’s former employer, Mary Avila, reported to the police that the items were stolen from her residence in Buttonwood Bay on Sunday, September 15, 2013. As a result, she made a report and the police launched an investigation, which led them to Balona, and subsequently, they went to Balona’s house the following day and recovered the stolen items.
Balona is scheduled to reappear in court on November 11, 2013.