THE man who allegedly stabbed to death an 18-year-old student around 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2020, was arrested by the Pardo Police Station in Cebu City.

Suspect Patricio Lapinid, 24, was caught in Sitio Mahayahay 1, Barangay Poblacion Pardo past 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11.

One of the witnesses identified Lapinid as the one who stabbed James Danyel Espinosa several times. Lapinid and his cohort fled, leaving the victim to bleed to death.

Pardo Police Station Chief P/Maj. John Kareen Escober said Lapinid had a companion during the incident, and he tasked his personnel to locate and arrest the person.

Lapinid, for his part, said the police arrived in his residence in Mahayahay 1 and he was invited to go with them to the police station for an interview. The suspect said he was stunned when the police officers arrested him.

Escober said the witness’ testimony is strong as the latter positively identified Lapinid.

Before Espinosa was assaulted by the culprits, he had been with his 17-year-old girlfriend on a vacant lot, which had a reputation for being a dating area for young couples.

Espinosa’s girlfriend was unharmed during the incident, leading the police to believe the murder could be a case of love triangle. The other motive could be robbery.

Lapinid will be facing a murder complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office. The offense is non-bailable. (BBT / RSR)