Man charged with carnapping

POLICE filed charges on Thursday before the City Prosecution Office (CPO) against a man for allegedly stealing a motorcycle.

Charged with violation of Republic Act 6539 or The Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972, was Jaylord Chavez, of Bohol Avenue in Toril, Davao City.

The accused was brought before Prosecutor Oscar Seniel at around 1 p.m. for inquest proceedings.

Superintendent Julius Silagan, chief of the Talomo Police Station, said the suspect was arrested at a hospital in Talomo District on Thursday at around 7:30 a.m. after one Lauro Dela Cerna Balo, a utility man of the hospital caught him in the act of stealing a motorcycle.

The owner of the motorcycle was identified as Reggy Ponce Catayoc, of Bago Gallera in this city.

Catayoc, in his statement, said he was inside the hospital to watch over his niece, when the incident happened. He added that he only learned the incident when he heard a chaos outside.

Balo, in his statement, said he was on duty when he saw the accused took the blue Honda Wave 100 motorcycle bearing plate number 6777-IJ of the victim, which was parked in front of the hospital.

"The accused was trying to start the engine by inserting a peso coin to the ignition switch of the motorcycle," Balo said.

Balo and bystanders in the area approached the accused and called for police assistance. (Ivy C. Tejano)