Robbery suspects caught at checkpoint

CEBU, Philippines - Four robbery suspects, three of them minors, were arrested at a checkpoint in barangay Mambaling early morning yesterday.

Suspects Randy Duarte and his three juvenile companions are now facing robbery charges after they were found with an LG component worth P9,000, a mobile phone, wallets and the other personal belongings of Reynaldo Brojan, a resident of Decca Homes in Minglanilla town.

Mambaling police arrested the suspects after they reportedly appeared suspicious and tried to leave the taxi when the vehicle was flagged down at the checkpoint near the Kinalumsan Bridge around 4 a.m. yesterday.

The bridge serves as the boundary between barangays Mambaling and Duljo-Fatima.

SPO4 Elden Meñoza of the Mambaling police said the four allegedly gave false names but eventually admitted they came from Minglanilla town during interrogation and after calling their parents. 

The Mambaling police then called their counterparts in Minglanilla who, in turn, informed Brojan of the arrest in Cebu City. Brojan later positively identified the seized items as those taken from his house around 3 a.m. yesterday.   Brojan said his kitchen door and part of his fence were destroyed during the break-in.

Charges for robbery will be filed against the suspects today. They are currently detained in the Minglanilla police station. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)