AT THE height of a manhunt operation against the suspects of a kidnapping attempt on Prosecutor Irene A. Meso, a driver of a red Kia Sportage who is facing charges of estafa and qualified theft was apprehended.
Nick Mordeno, 31, a resident of Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City was arrested by police operatives with his pregnant girlfriend, Jenarby Abok Yanky Rodriguez, on Wednesday noon in Alae, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Mordeno's car, a red Kia Sportage with plate number KVL 783, was flagged down in a checkpoint in Manolo Fortich after it resembles the color of the
Mitsubishi Strada used by the suspects on Meso's kidnap attempt.
Operatives said Mordeno failed to show pertinent papers to signify his ownership of the car. Upon inspection, police found cellphones and two Bank of Commerce blank checks with serial numbers 8373 and 8374 from Mordeno.
Eleanor Jose, owner of Vjandep Pastel in Zone 2, Barangay Bulua, positively identified the checks as hers. She filed a complaint of estafa and qualified theft against Mordeno on Wednesday.
Mordeno is reportedly the former boyfriend of Jose's office supervisor, Cristina
Jalea, 31, resident of Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Jose said Jalea issued checks amounting to P1.5 million to Mordeno chargeable to the account of Vjandep. During the investigation, Jalea admitted she issued checks to Mordeno in exchange for their sex video.
Jalea is also facing qualified theft.
Meanwhile, Mordeno and Rodriguez are also facing estafa charges for failing to pay P19,190 at Middleton Apartelle where they checked-in from July 14 to 19.
Cases of estafa were filed against Mordeno and Rodriguez on Thursday by the management of Middleton Apartelle in Carmen. (Nicole J. Managbanag)