Police heighten drive vs. motorcycle theft

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City Police Office has intensified its campaign against motorcycle as well as car theft in the city.

Records show that in the first week of October alone, three motorcycles have been stolen while unattended.

Police said the alleged robbers are being arrested separately.

Last October 1, Ricardo Atop, 22, of sitio Sta Cruz, barangay Guizo, Mandaue City, single was arrested for failing to return the motorcycle owned by his employer Eric Tan.

Atop was told to deliver cooked rice by Tan to a certain place but did not come back to return the motorcycle, a cellular phone, and the proceeds from the sale of the rice amounting to P2,500.

In sitio Santa Cruz in barangay Guizo, the motorcycle of Glenn Cueco, 29, married, was stolen Wednesday dawn at around 5:00 a.m. while parked in front of the Santa Cruz chapel.

Cueco was awakened by a neighbour who said his motorcycle was gone.

In Purok 3, barangay Cubacub, Mandaue City, neighbour Sherwin 'Insik' Gocela allegedly took Joenedel Salinas' motorcycle, bearing the plate number GM 3373, without permission.

Police said a witness saw Gocela taking the motorcycle from the parking lot near an apartment where Salinas resides.

Earlier, MCPO director PSr./Supt. Noel Gillamac said that from now on motorcycles apprehended for lack of supporting papers will be impounded and drivers will be held in custody until family members bring the documents to the police stations if these were left at home.

If the motorcycle was stolen, the robber can't get away, Gillamac said. (FREEMAN)