“Thief” from Carreta arrested in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines - The police in Talisay City arrested a man for allegedly attempting to steal from a woman passenger while on board a jeepney yesterday morning in barangay Tabunok.

Seized from alleged thief Alexberto Villagracia Jr., 31, of barangay Carreta, Cebu City were shabu, a loaded .22 cal. revolver, and a fake Cebu City school identification card.

Also taken from him were a driver’s license issued in the United Kingdom, a passport, and ATM cards owned by Martyn Sydney Conway, a British national who is temporary residing in Lapu-Lapu City.

Villagracia said last 2011 he was detained at the Cebu City Jail for theft and was released on March 2012.

On the other hand, Andrew Bon Geonzon, 34, of Minglanilla town, and the driver of the jeepney that Villagracia boarded in Lawaan I, Talisay City will file charges against Villagracia Jr.

Geonzon said he saw Villagracia sit beside a woman passenger, place his bag close to his body with his arm under it, and his hand reaching over to the woman’s bag.

Geonzon said he stopped the vehicle near a police patrol car and then told Villagracia to get off his jeepney.

Villagracia got angry hit the right side mirror.

Geonzon got off and reported the incident to PO1 Euwen Pitogo and PO1 Gerard Rollon.

Villagracia immediately ran to the other side of the road and boarded another jeepney, but he was eventually arrested.

Geonzon went to the police station to file a case against Villagracia.

Yesterday, the police readied to file charges for illegal possession of firearms, violation the Comelec gun ban, violation of Republic Act 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act Law, and malicious mischief against Villagracia in the City Prosecutor’s Office. — (FREEMAN)