Minor “steals” P150T; “handlers” arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A car dealer almost lost at least P150,000 cash to a 13-year-old boy who allegedly took his bag inside his car along V. Urgello Street, Cebu City past 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Joselito Lano reportedly parked his car in front of a dental clinic along Urgello Street, Sambag II and left it unlocked to buy anesthesia. However, when he went back, he was surprised that his bag containing P150,000 cash was already gone.

Lano immediately reported the incident to the Fuente Police Station and operatives of the station coordinated with the owner of the establishment if they could view the footage of their closed-circuit television camera to check who took the bag.

After three hours of waiting, the police and the victim were able to view the footage, which showed a child opening the rear door of the car and taking away the bag.

“Di ka katuo nga ingon ato, sa edad niya nga makuha to niya. Di man siya imat, puti man mistisohon,” Lano said.

Lano said he did not think of locking his car considering that there was guard near the establishment. 

“Kompiyansa ra sad ko kay naa baya’y gwardya sa taas ug naa say gwardya sa kilid sa sakyanan, pero wala g’yud mabantayi,” Lano said.

When operatives of Fuente Police Station saw the child, they immediately recognized him since he has been a suspect in at least 10 theft incidents reported to the station.

Chief Inspector David Señor, Fuente Police Station officer-in-charge, said a team went to the residence of Rommel and Dyna Quan, where the minor has reportedly been living. The couple is believed to be handlers of the 13-year-old boy.

Dyna was later arrested while her husband, Rommel, eluded arrest.

The bag with the money was also recovered inside the Quan’s house but only P106,000 was recovered. The police said they are trying to recover the missing P44,000 cash.

Dyna later denied that they instructed the minor to take the bag although she admitted that it was turned over to her which she also gave to the police.

 “Ako rang gi-turn over sa polis kay nangita naman sila sa bag sir,” Quan said.

The minor also admitted that he took P2,000 from the loot to play an online game.

He added that he started stealing in 2006 when he stopped schooling because of his “barkada” and said that sometimes they would sniff rugby.

But contrary to what he has been doing, the minor said that he wants to become a policeman if given the chance to study.

Señor said the child will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare Services for proper disposition while the Quan’s will be facing charges for theft as principals and a separate charge for child abuse for allegedly inducing the child to steal. — (FREEMAN)