The arrest of Reyman Jeriza, 32, a jeepney driver; Rosalie de Guzman, 28; and Marlon Garcia, 18; came two days after Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol ordered an all-out operation against cable wire thieves amid complaints from telecommunication companies.
Superintendent Rodelio Jocson, San Juan police chief, said they recovered 100 meters of PLDT and Globe Telecoms cable wires from the suspects.
Jocson said Jeriza was driving a passenger jeepney loaded with 50 meters of PLDT wires when intercepted by his mobile car manned by PO2 Mamelito Abella and PO1 Harris Cam at the corner of Paredes St. and H. Cruz St. in Barangay Sta. Lucia at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Upon seeing the patrol car, four of Jeriza’s companions who were seated at the back jumped off the vehicle and fled.
Jeriza claimed that he was hired by the four suspects to bring the wires to a certain destination.
Jocson said they are still coordinating with the PLDT to determine the exact location where the suspects stole the rest of the cable wires worth at least P50,000.
Several hours later, Globe Telecoms coordinated with Jocson and reported that their lines were cut off along Paterno St. in Barangay Pasadena.
A team headed by SPO4 Rolando Geneta rushed to the Pinaglabanan Shrine where the suspects have reportedly fled and arrested De Guzman and a male teenager.
De Guzman and her companion then led Geneta’s team to Garcia, who was also caught in possession of stolen Globe cable wires.
A follow-up operation led to the arrest of two other teenagers who admitted stealing the Globe cable wires.
During tactical interrogation, the suspects said they sell the cable wires to a junkshop at P100 per kilo.
"We are on alert against cable wire thieves because of the directive of Gen. Querol who warned us of the rising number of cases reported by PLDT and other telecom companies," said Jocson.
He said they are now preparing charges against the six suspects, who are presently detained at the San Juan detention center. — Non Alquitran