By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — A 41-year-old man was arrested by police in Malate, Manila after he was allegedly caught stealing the wheel center caps of a parked pickup truck on Wednesday morning.
The suspect, identified by police as Fernando Jr. Arcilla, is facing a complaint for theft after he was apprehended along Leon Guinto Street near the corner of Remedios Street in Barangay 693 at around 9:55 a.m. on July 29.
Police said the complainant, physician Bernabe Marinduque, was represented by his driver, Christopher Briones, who had parked the doctor’s 2026 Toyota Hilux G in a pay parking area after dropping him off at the Doña Felisa Syjuco Building on Remedios Street.
According to the investigation, Briones was waiting inside the vehicle and had fallen asleep when he felt the pickup truck move. Upon stepping out to inspect, he allegedly saw Arcilla using a metal object to pry off the rear left wheel’s center cap.
Investigators said the suspect immediately pocketed the detached wheel cap and ran after noticing Briones. The driver gave chase and flagged down patrolling officers from the Paco Police Community Precinct, who responded and arrested the suspect a short distance away.
Recovered from the suspect were four Toyota wheel center caps, each estimated to be worth ₱2,000, along with an improvised flat screwdriver allegedly used to remove the accessories.
Briones later discovered that all four wheel center caps of the pickup truck had already been removed.
The suspect was taken to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center for a medical examination before being brought to Ermita Police Station for booking and investigation.
Police said an inquest complaint for theft was being prepared against Arcilla for filing before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office.
The arrest was carried out by patrolling officers assigned to the Paco Police Community Precinct under Ermita Police Station.
ia/xf
