Bank teller charged with stealing

A BANK South Pacific female teller was charged in Wabag committal court with stealing K18,300 from a widow’s account.
Natasha Tumbiam from Kamas village, outside Wabag town, appeared in court last Wednesday but was released on a K1,000 bail.
The case was then adjourned to today for mention.
Police arrested Tumbiam last Tuesday for making separate withdrawals from Tina Minabo’s trust account in the Wabag BSP branch early this year.
She was arrested by Wabag police and charged under sub-section (374) (7b) under the Criminal Code Act.
Acting Enga provincial police commander Chief Insp Martin Lakari said Tumbiam was arrested following a report lodged by the widow.
Mrs Minabo said illegal withdrawals were made from her account on:
* Jan 20 (K5,000);
* Jan 25 (K5,000);
* Feb 1 (K3,000); and
* Feb 24 (K300).
Chief Insp Lakari said Mrs Minabo from Aipus, Enga province, had deposited her late husband’s entitlements into a trust.
She later found some irregularities in the  account that prompted her to report the matter to the police.
“It is very sad to see a widow who is trying to survive being cheated by the people whom she had faith in.
“The bank employee was arrested immediately after the police report was lodged by Mrs Minabo,” he said.
“It is not a good sign to receive such complaint against people in position that we trust to look after and be honest when dealing with money.”
Chief Insp Lakari said Tumbiam was believed to have been working with outsiders who submitted withdrawal forms.
“Investigations are still in progress.
“We will arrest those who used Tumbiam to steal the money from the widow’s account,” he said.