Basketball referee nabbed for stealing cop’s cellphone

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A 44-year-old basketball referee was arrested for allegedly stealing the cellular phone of a police officer at the Civic Center of Barangay Milibili, Roxas City Friday evening.

The police officer, who asked not to be named, is an active member of Roxas Component City Police Station.

The suspect was identified as Vergel Dela Cruz Almalbis of Barangay Culasi, Roxas City.

Investigation by Police Executive Master Sergeant Loy Jay Fantilaga of Roxas City Police Station indicated that the police officer left his Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus on a chair inside the Barangay Hall and proceeded to the covered gym to watch a basketball league.

The victim was surprised when he discovered that his cellphone was already missing when he returned to retrieve it.

The police officer requested to watch the footage of the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) in the area and he discovered that Almalbis took the cellphone.

The suspect was arrested the following day, May 7, and was jailed.

The suspect who admitted the crime, is one of the referees of the basketball league held at the Covered Gym of Brgy. Milibili here.

Appropriate charges are being readied against the suspect.