By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

THREE persons charged for various offenses have pleaded not guilty during an arraignment.
Joanne Castro, Anna Crisostimo and Joseph Crisostimo appeared yesterday morning before Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja.
Naraja set a status conference for Joanne DLG. Castro and Anna Crisostimo for Feb. 6, at 1:30 p.m. while a status conference for Joseph Crisostimo was set for Feb. 13, 2007 at 9 a.m.
The two women were arrested on Dec. 19, 2006 for forging a check. They were charged with conspiracy to commit theft and theft.
According to the prosecution, the two, between Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, 2006, “with the intent to promote and facilitate the commission of the crime of theft, did unlawfully agree with one or more other persons that one of them would engage in…theft.”
The two “did unlawfully take the property of Joseph Reyes or KB Market by cashing a check in the amount of $368.64,” the prosecution added.
The defendants have posted bail and have been released from the custody of the Department of Corrections.
Joseph Crisostimo was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and criminal use of a dangerous devise.
The prosecution stated that on Nov. 24, 2006, Joseph Crisostimo “did unlawfully threaten to cause or attempt to cause injury to Mr. Ataur Rahman with a dangerous weapon — a stun gun.”