Three accused of stealing vice mayor’s cellphones

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three persons were arrested after they allegedly stole two cellular phones of a government official in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental during the celebration of the city’s 25th Charter Day last Tuesday.

Police identified the suspects as Wowie Uy, 30, of Valladolid town; Melvin Cosio, 34, and Rose Linao, 31, both residents of Silay City.

Police Corporal Rogyn Bandola, case investigator of Kabankalan City Police Station, said that Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco noticed that his cellphones were missing inside his black bag while he was at the public plaza.

Bandola said the vice mayor then reported the incident to the police and located the suspects through the Global Positioning System (GPS) of one of the cellphones.

A pursuit operation was then conducted leading to the arrest of the suspects who were on their way to Himamaylan City.

Police chased the suspects and flagged down a motorcycle at Sitio Naga, Barangay Suay, Himamaylan City.

The motorcycle was driven by Uy and when they were intercepted, police saw Cosio place the bag on the shoulder of Uy.

Police checked their license and identification but failed to show any document.

When police told them to open the bag, the stolen cellphones worth P130,000 were found.

Bandola said it took them about 40 minutes to apprehend the suspects, who will be charged for theft.