UNABLE to come up with tuition money, a 21-year-old information technology student decided to steal cash from an automotive repair shop in Barangay Cabancalan, Mandaue City.
The suspect was identified by a minor, who saw him sneak inside the establishment through the comfort room on Friday night, Nov. 22, 2019. Police caught Ariel (not his real name) on Saturday, Nov. 23. He allegedly was able to steal P120,483, but the money was later recovered from him.
Around 9 a.m., investigator Richard Cabello said the Mandaue City Police Station 4 received a call from auto repair shop secretary Charlyn Sencil, who reported the burglary.
A team of police officers went to the shop. During their investigation, Cabello said they found fingerprints on the comfort room’s walls and the jalousie blades had been dismantled when they went inside.
The suspect, a Cabancalan resident, took the cash from the manager’s table. He exited through the sliding window.
Cabello said the shop owner provided a house near the office for the employees. The minor, who saw Ariel enter the shop, lives in the house with the suspect.
Ariel’s sister also works at the shop. However, Cabello said the sister had nothing to do with the burglary.
Cabello said Ariel, at first, denied the accusations against him. When the owner asked him to tell the truth, Ariel admitted stealing the money so he could pay his school obligations..
Ariel asked for forgiveness from the shop owner.
He was detained at the Police Station 4 pending the filing of charges. (KFD)