Barangay tanod thwarts alleged tool theft at Manila parking compound

An 18-year-old construction worker was arrested after he was allegedly caught stealing power tools from a pay-parking facility in Sampaloc, Manila, before dawn on Saturday, with authorities crediting the quick response of a barangay watchman and police officers for foiling the theft.

The suspect was taken into custody at around 5 a.m. by personnel from the SIBAMA Police Community Precinct after a barangay tanod apprehended him inside the PayPark compound and turned him over to responding officers from the Manila Police District's Police Station 4.

Police said the barangay watchman was assisting a motorist when he heard the sound of metal striking the ground near the rear portion of the parking facility. Investigating the noise, he allegedly found the suspect placing several power tools inside a green sack.

The watchman restrained the suspect, informed the owner of the parking facility, and sought police assistance.

Responding officers secured the scene, arrested the suspect, and recovered two industrial grinders, a power drill, and a set of oxygen-acetylene hoses with an estimated total value of P20,000.

The suspect, whom police identified as a construction worker and an alleged member of a local gang, remains in police custody pending the filing of a complaint for theft under Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code before the Manila City Prosecutor's Office for inquest proceedings.

Authorities did not immediately disclose whether the recovered equipment belonged to the parking facility or to a third party, and an investigation into the incident is ongoing.