A driver was arrested by the police after allegedly stealing at least P73.6 million worth of personal valuables, including a P50-million Richard Mille watch, from a Korean living in Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa.
The Muntinlupa Police identified the suspect as Menard Soler, 37, a resident of San Francisco del Monte in Quezon City.
Soler was hired as a driver by victim Sungchan Hong, 46, a Korean businessman.
The theft incident was discovered on March 26 at his house in Ayala Alabang Village.
The suspect (Photo from Muntinlupa police/SPD)
The suspect was arrested by Muntinlupa police at a parking lot of a hotel in San Pedro, Laguna by virtue of a warrant of arrest for another theft he allegedly committed last year.
The warrant of arrest was issued by Presiding Judge Vladimir Berla Serohijos Daral of the Pasay Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 165 with recommended bail of P10,000.
After Soler’s arrest, the police recovered P73.6 million worth of personal items that he allegedly took from the victim's house. These include a Richard Mille wristwatch worth P50 million; one Rolex watch worth P2.5 million; AP watch, P3 million; a Cartier bracelet, P1 million; five pieces of Gold Trump playing cards, P10 million; a Dragon bracelet, P1 million; a Dupont lighter, P500,000; four G-Shock watches, P80,000; a gold dragon figurine, P2 million; two gold watches, P3 million; a silver watch, P500,000; and an Apple watch, P50,000.
The police said Soler put the valuables inside a bag and left using the victim’s Range Rover vehicle.
Soler is now detained at the Muntinlupa Police custodial facility pending the issuance of a commitment order from the court.
He will be charged with qualified theft and for violation of Republic Act 10883 (New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016).