2 teens arrested for stealing from Valenzuela exec

MANILA, Philippines - Two teenagers were arrested in Valenzuela City yesterday after police officers on patrol seized from them items stolen from a village official recently. 

Chief Inspector Noel Ramirez, city police Station Investigation Unit chief, said Noel Chuidian and Ricky Toralde, both 19, were walking along Veinte Reales street at around 1 a.m. when they were accosted by police officers.

Toralde allegedly tried to escape after a .40 caliber pistol with 12 bullets were seized from Chuidian.

The police officers, led by Senior Inspector Rhoderick Juan, took them to Police Community Precinct 6 for questioning.

Investigator PO2 Michael Oxina said the gun seized from Chuidian was registered to Lingunan Councilor Mariano de la Cruz. He said it turned out the teenagers allegedly broke into De la Cruz’s house on Oct. 7 and took his gun and other valuables, amounting to P30,000.

Mariano was reportedly in Bicol when the robbery took place.