Man nabbed for stealing statues of Catholic saints

MANILA, Philippines - A man suspected of stealing four life-size statues of Catholic saints reportedly stolen from a chapel in Makati City was arrested at the house of his alleged buyer in Sta. Mesa, Manila Monday.

The theft was discovered following reports by barangay officials in Bacood, Sta. Mesa that a man has been going house-to-house in their area and offering to sell life-size statues of saints, according to Sta. Mesa police station chief Superintendent Jimmy Tiu.

Makati police confirmed that four statues of saints were stolen from the San Fabian chapel, Tiu added.

Police officers who responded to the barangay officials’ call arrested Elmeraldo Peredo, 39, at the house of Pedro Palomares and recovered a life-size statue of Jesus Christ.

Palomares told police he bought the statue for P20,000 and was not aware that the statue had been stolen from a Makati chapel.

Peredo led police to his house, where the life-size statues of Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Roque and Saint Joseph were also found.

Tiu said Peredo was turned over to the Makati police while anti-fencing charges are being readied against Palomares for buying stolen items.