Hustler arrested for theft

CEBU, Philippines - Police arrested Wednesday a notorious petty criminal in sitio Lourdes in barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

Joseph Vidal, 40, was arrested by a team led by Basak police station chief P Sr./Insp. Wilson Abot after receiving information that he was at his residence.

Vidal has a pending warrant of arrest for theft in relation to R.A 7610 or child abuse case signed by Judge Estela Alma Cinco of RTC 7 branch.

A bail of P80,000 is recommended for his temporary liberty.

Theft and Robbery section chief P/Insp. Ramil Morpos said Vidal is a known hustler whose modus operandi is to enter houses, pick up things of value, and quickly leave.

He said a theft case was filed against him for stealing the camera of a child in barangay Guizo last year.

Vidal went inside a house whose owner was selling dogs and pretended to be interested in buying one.

“Nag pretend siya mopalit ug iro apan nakit-an man niya ang bata nga anak sa tag-iya sa balay nga nay dala nga camera. Pag-sud sa yaya sa balay, iya dayon gikuha ang camera sa bata dayong sibat,” Morpos said.

The camera was later recovered in Leyte province where Vidal sold it to a pawnshop employee.

He is now detained at the Basak police station pending his transfer to the Mandaue City Jail. – (FREEMAN)