Cop finds elusive thief

A male hardware helper, who had been the subject of a police manhunt for theft, finally surrendered to a Camp Crame policeman whose assistance was sought by the victim.

Police Officer 1 Jesus Lapuz of Camp Crame’s Logistics Support Service surrendered Niño Merciales, 18, of 1913 Leon Guinto street, Malate, Manila to the Western Police District’s Theft and Robbery Section.

Merciales had been the subject of a police manhunt since last Wednesday as a suspect in the theft of cash and checks worth P100,000 from the Sirwain Hardware Store on Pedro Gil street.

Lucila Magtalas, owner of the store, approached her neighbor Lapuz for assistance. The officer proceeded to the suspect’s residence and learned from his father that the suspect had fled to Bicol province.

Together with the suspect’s father, Lapuz motored to Donsol, Sorsogon where they found the suspect hiding in their provincial home.

Lapuz and the suspect’s father successfully pursuaded the young Merciales to surrender who was immeditely brought to the WPD headquarters.

Case investigator PO3 Gordius Alumbro said Merciales admitted to the crime. The suspect said he spent most of the cash buying liquor, food and clothes in his home province.

Merciales said only P5,000 cash was left from his loot while a check for P22,000 was recovered from him. The remaining cash and check were returned to the store owner, according to Alumbro.– Nestor Etolle