Teen nabbed for ‘stealing’ motorcycle

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A 17-year-old boy was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Escalante City, Negros Occidental last Thursday for allegedly stealing a motorcycle in front of a convenience store along 7th Lacson Streets here around 4 p.m. that day.

Police withheld the name of the minor-suspect who is a resident of Barangay 4 here.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jake Barila, Escalante City police chief, said the suspect was tracked down after a friend of the 29-year-old victim spotted the motorcycle in Escalante City.

Barila said the victim posted his stolen motorcycle on social media to seek help in locating it.

Police Station 2 here and the Highway Patrol Group assisted the victim and coordinated with Escalante City Police Station for the recovery of the stolen motorcycle.

Barila said the suspect was arrested at the house of his friend around 8:30 p.m. He told his friend that he just borrowed the motorcycle from his aunt.

The owner identified his motorcycle through its engine and chassis numbers, but the registration plate and the stickers were already removed, Barila said.

He said the victim believed that his keys probably fell from his pocket or the suspect probably took them from him since the latter can be frequently seen loitering at 7th Lacson Streets.

“Dugay na gina monitor ka intelligence operatives sang Bacolod police ang suspect kay amo na daw ang gapamira sa dira na area, pangawat,” Barila said.

He said the suspect may face charges for violation of Republic Act 6539 or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972.

The minor-suspect was turned over to Police Station 2 and was later transferred to the Social Development Center (SDC) here for custody.