Teen, SK Kagawad face theft raps for ‘basag kotse’

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons, including a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kagawad of Barangay Tangub here, are facing theft charges after being tagged in a “basag-kotse” incident at the said village Tuesday.

Police Major Charles Gever, head of Police Station 8, said the charges were filed last Wednesday against SK Kagawad Jerry Catapang and his companion Lito Capunong, 18, who are both detained at the police station.

Gever said both suspects allegedly damaged and robbed Rodrigo Tacuyo Jr.’s car which was parked at the village around 6:30 p.m.

Gever said the suspects were arrested in a follow-up operation after Catapang used one of the victim’s stolen cellular phone to ask for a P50 top-up load. Unknown to the suspect, he was already sending text messages to Tacuyo.

“Wala siya kabalo na ang gina text niya gali, amu man ang victim and tag-iya mismo ka cellphone,” he added.

Tacuyo reported the incident to the police who launched an entrapment operation when Catapang allegedly asked for P5,000 cash from the victim.

Catapang was arrested and police recovered from him the victim’s cellular phone. He later ratted on Capunong, who was arrested at his residence and also allegedly yielded another stolen cellular phone.

Police also recovered from them other stolen items.

Gever said one of the suspects was previously arrested for a drug offense in the area of Police Station 2.

Meanwhile, both suspects denied the allegations against them, according to the station commander.