Man tries stealing motorbike after pawning it

MANILA, Philippines - A man was charged yesterday after he allegedly tried to speed off with a motorcycle he had just pawned to a resident of Mountain Dew Subdivision in Barangay Bagong Silangan, Quezon City.

Carmen Pineda, 64, told police the suspect, Brian Reyes, 29, approached her to pawn his Yamaha Mio motorcycle as he needed money for a relative confined in a hospital.

“The woman said she only had P3,000 with her. The suspect then said P2,700 was enough for him at that time,” Senior Inspector Virgilio Carodan said in an interview.

After Pineda handed over the cash to Reyes – who introduced himself to her as Alain Gamboa – the suspect excused himself, supposedly to park the motorcycle in the woman’s residence.

“But after he boarded the motorcycle, he sped off,” Carodan said.

Pineda alerted the subdivision guards, who blocked the suspect at the gate. Reyes allegedly attempted to grab guard Romeo Sorio’s shotgun. Reyes was shot in the back as they grappled for the shotgun, Carodan said.

Reyes underwent inquest proceedings yesterday on charges of estafa, robbery and malicious mischief, said Quezon City Police District director Senior Superintendent Richard Albano.

Carodan said it was not clear how Reyes found out about Pineda.