“Shoplifter” dies in interrogation

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected shoplifter caught stealing a sandal in a downtown department store died last Friday afternoon while being interrogated by the store’s security personnel.

Mario Alfie Ducayan, 23, resident of Barangay Tuyan, City of Naga, reportedly fell on the floor and had seizure while security personnel of the store, name withheld, investigated him following his arrest.

Homicide investigator, SPO4 Alex Dacua, said that Ducayan was allegedly caught by a lady guard identified as Margie Gacer for stealing a pair of sandals worth P360.

The lady guard brought Ducayan to the security office where he was subjected to questioning by chief security Mauricio Doblados. Jr.

Aside from the chief security, Gacer, in-house detective Cezar Celerio, and CCTV operator Jeoffrey Aquino were also in the security office when Ducayan allegedly had seizure.

Dacua said the security personnel of the store called the company nurse who tried to revive Ducayan by applying Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

However, the nurse failed prompting them to call the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF) personnel.

Ducayan was rushed to Cebu City Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

The FREEMAN tried to get a statement from the store management but calls were left unanswered as of press time.(FREEMAN)