By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Two suspects allegedly involved in a series of burglary incidents in Bacolod City were arrested in a hot-pursuit operation in Barangay Singcang-Airport on Wednesday night, January 17.
Police arrested 23-year-old Francis Buenavista Agustin, a resident of Purok Kaingin in the city’s Barangay Singcang-Airport; and 18-year-old Rhys Vincent Villafranca of Barangay Alijis’ Maanyag 2.
Police Captain Melvin Mercado, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Station 8 commander, said they received a complaint from a resident in Barangay Singcang-Airport, that his mechanical tools were stolen after unidentified individuals broke into his car.
A follow-up operation was immediately organized by the police which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
Police recovered the mechanical tools inside a rice sack, and two plastic sachets of suspected shabu valued at around P6,800.
Both suspects are now facing theft and possession of illegal drug charges.
Mercado said a background check revealed that Agustin was involved in a burglary case in December 2022, which went viral on social media.
Agustin was caught on video trying to steal a manhole cover along Araneta Street near a flyover in Barangay Singcang-Airport.
The burglary was foiled after he was confronted by some individuals and a security guard.
Agustin was forced to return the manhole cover.
In light of the recent incidents of break-ins among homes and business establishments in the city, Mercado forwarded a message to Agustin’s possible victims to surface and urged them to file criminal charges against the suspects.
BCPO director Colonel Noel Aliño lauded the quick resolution by Police Station 8 operatives.
He added that the arrests were a result of the BCPO’s police intervention, coupled with good coordination between law enforcement and the local village anti-crime volunteers.
Earlier, Aliño warned police station commanders in the city that administrative charges may be filed against them for failing to solve and arrest individuals involved in the burglary incidents./DGB, WDJ