"Notorious thieves" face criminal raps

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office has initially filed three criminal complaints before the prosecutor’s office against the two “notorious robbers” who were caught during a police chase Tuesday after stealing valuables from a hotel.

The police have filed complaints for illegal possession of firearms, drugs and drug paraphernalia against Michael Reyes alias Eric Reyes and Edward Teves. No robbery charges have been filed yet because the police are still waiting for the victims to execute their affidavit.

The police however are expected to file robbery charges as soon as the complainants shall have completed their affidavits.

CCPO intelligence chief Romeo Santander said they will also file a criminal complaint for obstruction of justice against Reyes after they have discovered that his real name is Michael and not Eric.

 “We discovered the anomaly when we checked his birth certificate,” Santander said.

He said that “Eric” is the brother of Reyes. “He is very good in fooling us,” Santander said.

Reyes and Teves were brought yesterday before the city prosecutor’s office for inquest but they opted to sign a waiver of detention to avail of a preliminary investigation. Assistant city prosecutor Ernesto Narido gave the respondents 15 days to submit their counter-affidavit.

The arrest of the two stemmed from a complaint of the management of Allure Hotel in Mandaue City where the respondents stayed. Based on the information received by the police, Reyes and Teves took with them upon checkout some valuable items from the hotel room where they stayed in.

The suspects who were on board a Toyota Vios were immediately pursued by the Mandaue City police who were first to receive the complaint until they sought the assistance of the Cebu City police.

SPO1 Jeffrey Diola said that they were on patrol at the Osmeña Boulevard when they received the alarm at 11:45 in the morning. The suspects were spotted in Escario prompting the team of Diola to respond.

 “One of the patrol cars from Mobile Patrol Group informed the CCPO base control operator that they spotted the said vehicle along Escario St., Barangay Kamputhaw heading towards Capitol site area and request back-up,” reads Diola’s affidavit.

Sensing that they were being pursued by the police, the suspects hid themselves in a restaurant along Escario Street where they were arrested.

The police confiscated several items from them including drugs, drug paraphernalia and unlicensed firearms. The police also found that the vehicle they were using was carnapped.

After their arrest was reported by the media, several people who claimed to have been victimized by them came to the police office to file a complaint.

The police also learned that one of the suspects is a fugitive in the United States of America for theft and illegal possession of firearms. (FREEMAN)