Police nab suspect behind theft of 20 motorcycles

The Manila Police District (MPD) has arrested a man who stole 20 motorcycles in Pampanga, Bulacan, Manila, and Quezon City.

According to John Consulta’s exclusive report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the suspect looks for parked motorcycles in places like supermarkets and targets those with inserted keys.

CCTV footage showed that the suspect ran away with one of the parked motorcycles in front of a supermarket in Tondo, Manila, just right after the owner entered the establishment.

With the help of the footage, the police were able to track down the suspect.

“Sa lahat ng dinaanan niya, tumigil siya para kausapin ang kanyang live-in partner, doon siya inabangan,” said MPD director Police Brigadier General Thomas Ibay.

(Among the places he had been to, he stopped somewhere to talk with his live-in partner, and that’s where we found him.)

The 41-year-old suspect was apprehended at his residence in Delpan, Manila. 

MPD’s investigation showed that the motorcycle he stole in Tondo ran out of gas while in Guiguinto, Bulacan. This forced the suspect to steal another motorcycle, the report said.

“Kaya ko lang po nagawa ‘yun dahil sa pangangailangan, wala po akong trabaho. Sino man ang nakunan ko ng motor, humihingi ako ng dispensa,” the suspect said.

(I did that because of my needs; I don’t have work now. I’m very sorry to all my victims.)

In a follow-up operation, the MPD located the stolen motorcycles from his hideouts and those who bought them from him.

The MPD advises motorcycle riders to turn off the vehicle and remove the key when parking. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News