Man who tried to steal computer monitor arrested

CEBU, Philippines - A man was arrested for attempting to steal a computer from a coffee shop along Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City yesterday morning.

Security guards Juniver Lowaton and Ardy Carillo said they were conducting routine inspection of the area where Coffee Dream was located when they saw suspect Joemar Maalam, 37, bring out a computer monitor from the coffee shop.

When he saw the guards, Maalam reportedly tried to escape by leaving the monitor  behind on the ground but he was chased by the guards and eventually arrested with the help of PO1 Meonik Cabañero of Cebu City Public Safety Company who happened to be passing by the area.

At the police station, Maalam admitted the crime and said he entered the coffee shop by detaching its door. He also said that aside from the computer monitor, he also tried to take away the cash register box. Police recovered the items at the area where Maalam left them.

Maalam is in detention and is awaiting the filing of formal charges against him.

Also yesterday, a robber broke into a boarding house in Barangay Apas, also in Cebu City.

Mary Jane Barros, 18, of  Cagayan de Oro City and Allan Escamillan, 24, a call center agent and a native of  Zamboanga, alleged that the suspect took away the cash and laptop that they have left inside their individual rooms at the boarding house’s first floor and third floor, respectively. The incident reportedly happened between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Ocular investigation conducted by personnel of the city police’s Theft and Robbery Section personnel revealed that the doors of the two rooms were opened forcibly. — (FREEMAN)