Man almost avoids arrest for burglary; caught for rape

CEBU, Philippines - A 26-year-old man almost achieved his plan to steal money and other things from a store at the Mandaue City Public Market had he not gone back to try and rape the woman who owned the store.

Marcel Besabella of Barangay Guizo, Mandaue City was arrested by the market guard after his 28-year-old victim shouted for help past 2 a.m.

In her account to the police, the victim said that she was sleeping alone inside their makeshift stall and woke up when she noticed that something heavy suddenly was on top of her. When she woke up, her underwear was already taken off, she told police.

PO1 Jerome Lendio of the Centro Police station said that it was easy for the suspect to gain entry in the victim’s stall as it was made of light materials.

The market guards, Richard Nacorda and Rocky Latera rushed to the area where they heard the victim shouting and saw the suspect who was about to escape.

PO1 Lendio said that the market guards were also able to recover from the suspect a bag containing P23,000 which Besabella reportedly stole from the victim’s stall, as well as the victim’s tablet computer, an expensive perfume and her make–up.  Lendio added that even when Besabella was already locked up in jail, the suspect was still able to threaten the victim that he would kill her once he will be free.

The suspect is presently detained at the Subangdaku Police station pending the filing of appropriate charges against him this coming Monday.  (FREEMAN)