Three men suspected of theft were brought to the cells of Abellana Police Station after being caught in separate police operations on June 16, 17, and 19.
First Arrest on June 16
The first suspect, identified only by the alias “Anthony,” a garbage scavenger from Barangay Buhisan, was arrested on June 16. Anthony was accused of stealing a solar light from a hotel on N. Escario Street, Cebu City. According to the suspect, he came across the light while scavenging and took it, believing it was broken and unusable. He admitted to having weighed the light for P200 and used the money to buy food.
Second Arrest on June 17
On June 17, alias “Owen,” 26 years old, was apprehended through a citizen’s arrest after attempting to flee. Owen was accused of stealing a gallon of Zonrox and paints from another hotel in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City. Authorities suspect that the suspect intended to sell the stolen items to support his vices.
Third Arrest on June 19
The last suspect arrested was alias “Dave,” 38 years old, who was caught past 4:00 a.m. on June 19 at the waiting area of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC). Based on the investigation, the female victim was sleeping with her cellphone inside her sling bag placed beside her. The victim woke up to a rustling sound and noticed her bag being rummaged. When she looked, the suspect was already holding her cellphone, prompting her to immediately seek help from the guards. Dave said he did it because he planned to sell the cellphone to buy food due to extreme hunger, especially since he no longer goes home after being left by his wife. He expressed deep remorse and said he is willing to serve his sentence in prison.
The three suspects will face separate theft charges and are currently detained at Abellana Police Station.
