Cop linked to steel bar heist surrenders

A policeman suspected to be involved in the hijacking of a tractor-trailer loaded with nearly P1 million worth of corrugated steel bars last week in Valenzuela turned himself in yesterday.

SPOr Mario Capangyarihan, assigned to Police Community Precinct 8 of the Valenzuela Police, surrendered to his immediate superior, Inspector Gene Gorralde.

Capangyarihan was later disarmed of his government-issued 9mm pistol and turned over to the Station Investigation and Detective Management Bureau under Chief Inspector Danilo Bugay for disposition.

Most of the steel bars, owned by Cathay Pacific Steel Corp. and intended for delivery to TKL Steel Corp., were later discovered in a vacant lot beside Capangyarihan’s house.

Eighty-six bars were found in front of the house of Capangyarihan’s elder brother, Leonardo, 56. The items were identified at the scene by Cathay Steel Corp. owners as belonging to the firm.

Capangyarihan was charged, together with trailer driver Pedrito Alolor, helper Roger Tolentino and several others with violating Presidential Decree 532 (anti-highway robbery and anti-piracy law) and Republic Act 6539 (anti-carjacking and car theft law) before the Valenzuela Prosecutor’s Office.– Jerry Botial