Christopher Thomas, STAR Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A former Iberostar Resort employee, charged with stealing a co-worker's ATM card and making unauthorised transactions, was offered bail in the sum of $250,000 in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Samia Saunders, 32-year-old, of Barrett Town, St James, address, is charged with several counts of larceny, but was not pleaded when she appeared in court.

The complainant, and investigating officer were not present in court when the case was called up. The prosecution said it would not oppose bail, as long as certain conditions were attached.

"We are asking for reporting conditions, that she (Saunders) should have (not) any contact with the complainant, for her travel documents to be surrendered and for a stop order to be issued," clerk of the Court Natalie Malcolm told Resident Magistrate Sandria Wong-Small.

"Do you have a passport, ma'am?" RM Wong-Small asked the defendant.

"Yes, but it expired on the sixth of this month," answered Saunders.

"You are going to need to surrender that passport. Is this the first time you are being charged with an offence?" asked the magistrate.

"Yes, your honour," said Saunders.

Bail

"Bail is offered to you, $250,000, and up to three persons can bail you. You will report to the Barrett Town Police Station every Monday and Friday between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.," said RM Wong-Small.

"You are to have no contact whatsoever with the complainant in this matter. Do you understand these conditions?" the Magistrate asked.

"Yes, your honour," said Saunders.

The matter is set for mention on November 8.

Allegations are that, on July 30, the complainant placed her National Commercial Bank (NCB) Midas ATM card in her bag and placed the bag in a locker at the Iberostar Hotel. However, when she checked her bag on August 7, the bank card and her identification card were missing.

A report was made to NCB, and subsequent checks revealed that the card was used to make several account withdrawals, totalling $35,000, between July 30 and August 7. Security photographs also showed Saunders and a male companion conducting the transactions.

Following investigations, Saunders was arrested and charged.