Cops catch hotel guest stealing laptops from UN meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City police has recovered four laptops a hotel guest and his accomplice took from a conference of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) at a hotel Friday, an official said yesterday.

Acting city police chief Superintendent Jaime Santos said Michael Genesis Reyes and a woman were seen on a surveillance camera video going into a function room where the UNHCR conference was being held and leaving carrying the four laptops. The theft occurred after the first day of the conference.

Police invited Reyes for questioning, and he admitted that he and “Missy” took the laptops and brought them to Jaime Hortilano’s house on Juan Luna street, Pasay City.

At about 10 a.m. Saturday, Makati policemen and hotel security personnel went to Hortilano’s house. Santos said Hortilano escaped but the laptops were recovered from his house.

Reyes, Hortilano and Missy have been charged with theft.