CEBU, Philippines — A mechanic was nabbed by Consolacion town police after taking home about P240,000 worth of car spare parts from his workplace.
The suspect was identified as Vicente Villarta, 38, a resident of Barangay Pangpang, Barili in southern Cebu.
Staff Sergeant Rechie Gilleran of Consolacion Police Station said that the owner of the company where Villarta was working sought their assistance to arrest the suspect on Saturday, December 10.
Gilleran said the owner (name withheld for privacy) confessed that they received reports that the suspect had been stealing from the company for quite a long time, but it was only last Saturday that he was caught in the act.
According to the owner, Villarta would secretly bring home control boxes, carburetors, and harness dashboards, among others.
Following the complaint received, the authorities went to the company situated in Barangay Pulpogan in Consolacion and conducted a body search toward the suspect.
Seized from Villarta was a .38 caliber revolver with two live bullets, which he failed to show legal documents of his gun ownership.
Gilleran said Villarta did not deny the allegation against him but he did not disclose further reasons on why he committed the crime as well.
Gilleran further stated that based on their inventory, the suspect stole roughly P240,000 worth of car parts from the company.
Villarta now awaits the charges to be filed before the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.
The suspect is set to face charges of qualified theft and violations for Republic Act 10591, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. — Robhe Jane Yara with Romeo D. Marantal, GMR (FREEMAN)