Gadget owner catches thief

CEBU, Philippines - A reported member of "akyat-bahay" gang was caught by an employee of Yuenthai, Inc. yesterday morning, carrying a bag stuffed with laptop and other electrical devices while going downstairs inside a boarding house in Sitio Matumbo, Barangay Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City.

Cynthia Sinoy, 21, a resident of Sitio Solas, Barangay Punta Engaño, was caught in the middle of the staircase by the owner of the stolen laptop, Gerrico de Leon, 25, who rented a room in Yengson Boarding House and works as a service operator of the Yuenthai, Inc. in Mactan Economic Processing Zone 1.

According to De Leon, he was about to go upstairs and go through his room when he met a woman carrying a bag with a laptop inside it.

"Ako siyang gipangutana kung nag-unsa siya ug ngano iyaha gidala akong bag," he said during investigation yesterday at the Theft and Robbery Section of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

De Leon said the woman told him the bag was just lying on the floor but De Leon shared that he saw his room open and the padlock already destroyed when he went to check it. He then suspected that Sinoy stole his properties by crashing into his room.

De Leon then called his landlord for assistance and when police arrived, they immediately arrested Sinoy. It was learned a spoon and a piece of steel bar was used in destroying the lock of the victim's room.

According to Police Officer 1 Jude Salazar, the woman stole mini-speakers and a mouse, aside from the laptop and backpack. The properties were valued at P36,250.

The suspect, according to PO1 Salazar, has had police record early this year with another robber case nut was able to bail out.

When interviewed by reporters, Sinoy claimed she is still high school student in one of the public schools in Barangay Punta Engaño. She admitted that she has a prior police record for a robbery case sometime in January this year.

Gina Sinoy, 29, Cynthia's aunt, was called up and was shocked to learn about her niece's situation but PO1 Salazar said the suspect will face robbery charges.

"Wala ko kahibawo nga ingon ani ang nahitabo, magbarkada man ni siya maabot sa Cordova," the aunt said. Cynthia is detained temporarily in LCPO detention cell and will be transferred to Lapu-Lapu City Jail. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)