Motorcycle thief caught in heavy traffic

CEBU, Philippines - A man, who later confessed he had stolen motorcycles in the past, was arrested Thursday in barangay Ibabao, Mandaue City for stealing yet another motorcycle.

Jose Michael Rusell, 30, of sitio Sangi, barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City was arrested with his live-in partner with the help of bystanders.

The Investigation and Detective Management Bureau (IDMB) said that day Reynaldo Villaceran, 42, married, of barangay Alang-alang, Mandaue City parked his motorcycle in front of DXN International in barangay Ibabao to buy something from the store, leaving the key in the ignition.

From inside the store, he saw his motorcycle being taken away by someone else.

Villaceran gave chase and, by a stroke of luck, caught up with the thief who was now caught in heavy traffic along M.L. Quezon Street.

While holding on to his motorcycle, he shouted for help and bystanders quickly responded.

Rusell was arrested and taken to the Mandaue City Police Office.

 IDMB Chief P/Insp.Ramil Morpos said during interrogation, Rusell confessed to stealing two other motorcycles in the city in the past.

Rusell had also been caught on CCTV camera stealing a motorcycle along A.S. Fortuna Street in barangay Banilad.

He said he stole a motorcycle in AS Fortuna Street and another one last January 8 in ML Quezon Street and sold these in Argao town.

Morpos said his men had recovered the stolen motorcycles that were sold for P8,000 to P10,000 each.

Rusell is now detained at the Mandaue Police station 1 pending the filing of charges against him. (FREEMAN)