'Basag-kotse' suspect nabbed in Marikina

Authorities have arrested a suspect involved in the "basag-kotse" incident in Marikina City on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday morning, Isagani, a technical specialist and cameraman of a well-known broadcasting company, reported about a theft incident of items inside the vehicle owned by the company.

According to him, at about 8 p.m. Tuesday, he parked the vehicle in front of his residence in Barangay Parang, Marikina City. The next morning, at around 5:30 a.m., when he checked the car, he noticed the broken window on the right rear passenger side.

Isagani immediately checked his belongings and broadcast equipment inside the vehicle and found out that several items were missing including two cellphones amounting to P43,000 and assorted broadcast equipment with an estimated total of more or less P500,000, assorted documents including fleet cards, identification cards, report papers and assorted clothes and uniforms.

Police investigators reviewed the CCTV footage of the barangay and it was observed that the suspect together with two children in conflict with the law were roaming around the area. With the assistance of barangay tanods, the suspect and a child in conflict with the law were invited at the barangay hall to undergo an initial inquiry.

A male witness reported to the barangay officials that he has seen the suspect and two children in conflict with the law carrying various items from the said vehicle.

The arresting officers then proceeded to rescue the child in conflict with the law and arrested the 25-year-old suspect known as alias Totoy, 25 years old, a resident of this barangay.

Investigation revealed that the suspect has been previously charged for the crimes of theft, malicious mischief, illegal possession of bladed weapons, violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, robbery and two violation of Presidential Decree 1602.

The children in conflict with the law admitted that the stolen items were kept hidden in an old house. Police officers proceeded to the location and retrieved one cellphone, a white shirt with the logo of the famous media company and a strap of the stolen bag which were all positively identified by the reporter that were partly taken.

The two children in conflict with the law involved in the incident was rescued by an intelligence operative. They were properly turned over to the city social welfare development office of Marikina City.

The suspect is temporarily detained at the Marikina City Police Station custodial facility while pertinent documents are being prepared for inquest proceedings before the Marikina City Prosecutor's Office. NEIL ALCOBER