By Rod Ohira

The former general manager of a Mapunapuna motorcycle dealership has been charged with 25 counts of theft related to the alleged embezzlement of funds.

John Davis Winslett, 53, of a Bougainville Drive address, surrendered today at the main police station and was arrested on three counts of first-degree theft, 21 counts of second-degree theft, one count of third-degree theft, and one count of misdemeanor tampering with government records at 7:45 a.m. He was released at 8:40 a.m.

Winslett is being prosecuted by complaint and will be arraigned at Circuit Court at a later date.

The charges stem from the alleged theft of more than $180,000 from October 2003 through January 2006 while he was general manager of Cycle City Ltd. on Pu'uloa Road.

The first-degree theft charges, according to the 26-count complaint, include an alleged barter agreement with Island Air and the unauthorized use of Cycle City funds to pay for aircraft parts, maintenance expenses and hangar fees.

Among the second-degree theft allegations is the unauthorized use of company monies to purchase two Toyota Land Cruisers, pay membership fees to the Special Forces Motorcycle Club, pay for home improvement work at his home and at another residence, and other personal purchases.

The tampering charge alleges Winslett knowingly made a false entry in November 2005 on Family Court divorce documents.