Couple loses P100T worth of cash, valuables to burglar in San Fernando

CEBU, Philippines - A couple lost more than P100,000 worth of cash and valuables to a burglar in Barangay San Isidro, San Fernando last Monday afternoon.

Divina Maria Sasam, legal age, was alerted by her neighbors upon seeing the suspect, John Mark Geraldez, 19, of Barangay Pitalo, coming out from the second floor of the victim's house at 2:30 p.m.

The suspect sneaked into the house while the victim was busy attending the wake of her father. Members of the barangay tanod tried to chase Geraldez but failed to arrest him. But his mother, Gertrudez Geraldez, 49, was arrested in the follow-up operation after some of the stolen items were recovered in her possession.

The suspect was able to bring with him four cellular phones worth P19,000; Neo laptop worth P16,000; Wrist watch worth P5,000; a pair of Adidas slippers worth P2,000; nails cleaning kit P2,000; a set of necklace and a pair of earrings worth P20,000; silver ring, P5,000; a pair of pearl earrings, P5,000; a backpack, P200; P34,000 cash; chargers; USB; and batteries.

PO3 Antonio Tabor, investigator, said that the suspect removed the jalousie blades of the window at the second floor of the house where he gained entry.

Except for the set of earrings and necklace, silver ring, a pair of pearl earrings, and P8,350 cash, the other stolen items were recovered by the police from the mother.

"Murag gibinlan iyang mama og pocket money unya tua ang ubang items ngadto daghan kaayo," Tabor said in a phone interview.

Tabor said a hot pursuit operation is underway after they receive information that the suspect is in Barangay Ermita.

"Mo-coordinate pa mi sa Cebu City kay og unsay ingon ani adtuon gyud ni namo ngadto," he said.— /FPL (FREEMAN)