A 21-year-old man was arrested after he allegedly stole copper wires from streetlights along the center island of Ouano Avenue in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City.
The suspect was arrested at around 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, after fleeing from City Mayor’s Office-Safety Maintenance Area Response Team (CMO-SMART) personnel who spotted him during a roving patrol with police.
CMO-SMART team leader Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani said Tuesday, Sept. 22, that the incident was first reported at around 1 a.m., but the suspect managed to escape and hide in a grassy area.
“Gigukod gyud to namo, around 6 a.m. pero nidaggan na siya didto sa hawan nga tag-as kaayo og sagbot lapas pa sa tao,” Gobalani said.
The suspect was eventually cornered and arrested after responders located him in the overgrown area.
Authorities recovered wires valued at more than P10,000. Gobalani said the suspect allegedly intended to strip the wires to extract the metal or burn them to recover the material for sale.
“Kung ila ng matigom dako na ug maggamit gyud na sa ilang bisyo,” Gobalani said.
Authorities also recovered nearly P1,000 worth of suspected shabu from the suspect during the arrest.
Gobalani said the suspect had allegedly been arrested previously for similar offenses involving theft and illegal drugs.
“Suki na siya, sa pareha ra nga kaso, pagpangawat ug drogas,” he said.
He also alleged that the suspect and his companions had repeatedly damaged the streetlights in the area by cutting and stealing their wires.
The streetlights had not yet been formally turned over to the Mandaue City Government because the project remains under construction.
“Permi gyud na siya ma delay nga project tungod ana nga kabuang,” Gobalani said.
Authorities filed charges against the suspect on Tuesday morning, Sept. 22, for theft and violation of Section 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Gobalani said the arrest should serve as a warning to others who may attempt to commit similar offenses in the city.
“This serves as a stern warning sa mga daotang elemento sa atong mga buot muhimo og krimen diri sa Mandaue City, you should be aware nga naa nay task force together with the PNP,” he said.
CMO-SMART said it will continue conducting patrols and protecting city facilities as part of its mandate to ensure their safety and proper maintenance.
Photo courtesy of Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani
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