CEBU, Philippines - Qualified theft charges are set to be filed today against a house helper who allegedly stole more than a hundred thousand worth of valuables and cash Sunday morning while owners of the house were not around in Barangay Bogo, Argao.
Criminal charges shall be filed before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office today against 19-year-old Mark Anthony Aliñabon of Barangay Saksak, Dalaguete.
Aliñabon was arrested by the Argao police during an entrapment operation in Cebu City yesterday.
The 38-year-old victim, Rechel Mae Alberca, a government employee of Dalaguete, was able to recover most of her valuables except for the P5,000 cash.
Aliñabon, who has served the victim for more than a month now, was reportedly alone in the house after Alberca went shopping.
Upon returning home, the victims discovered that her $2,000 dollars cash; Sony digital camera worth P15,000; P5,000 cash, and three gold rings worth more than P20,000 were lost.
Argao Police Chief Inspector Allan Batobalonos said Aliñabon was able to enter the bedroom by destroying the doorknob using a hammer. Once inside, he carted away the mentioned items which were placed on the drawer.
Batobalonos said that in their follow-up operation around 4:00 in the afternoon, they found out that Aliñabon returned to Barangay Saksak and even had himself fixed at the beauty parlor before heading to Cebu City.
“According sa mga tawo didto nga nagpa-parlor pa sa wala pa ni-ngadto og siyudad,” the police chief said.
Jessa Cartilla, Aliñabon’s friend whom he texted to meet him, yesterday coordinated with the police and the entrapment operation was planned.
Cartilla met Aliñabon at the Caltex gasoline station along Magallanes St., Barangay Manalili where he was arrested.
“Iya rang giingon nga magnegosyo sila. Basin ang kuwarta maoy gamiton nga puhunan,” Batobalonos said.
He added that upon arrest, Aliñabon was wearing the gold rings.
Police were able to recover a plastic bag full of assorted beauty products at the rented room of Aliñabon in Barangay Pasil. (FREEMAN)