Ex-PBA import accosted for smashing car windshield

MANILA, Philippines - Former Philippine Basketball Association import Billy Ray Bates was accosted yesterday morning by police for allegedly destroying the windshield of a Mercedes Benz limousine.

Police Officer 2 Alvin Quisumbing said policemen of the Quezon City Police District Station 7 picked up Bates as he was allegedly drunk and sleeping at the parking area of the Farmer’s Market at around 6 a.m.

Quisumbing said policemen accosted the American following complaints made by Carlos Vicente, 48, who owns a rent-a-car business.

A resident said he saw Bates reportedly smashing the windshield of a white, six-door limousine (WNU-404) at around 12:20 a.m. while it was parked in front of a car repair shop in Barangay Kaunlaran.

Vicente and Bates were brought to the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, after which Vicente agreed not to file charges against Bates if the American paid for the damage within three days. Bates signed the agreement.

Bates told policemen he was not drunk. He also claimed he was running along First Planas street from two robbers who took his mobile phone and money. He said he did not have the robbery recorded in the police blotter.