Authorities placed a teenager under custody after stolen electric tricycle (E-trike) batteries were recovered from him during an operation in Sampaloc, Manila on Friday, Aug. 15. 

The Manila Police District (MPD) said the minor, 17 years old, is now under the care of an investigator after police had initial contact with him during a follow-up operation prompted by an E-trike owner’s report that the batteries of his vehicle were missing.

Based on the investigation, the victim discovered the incident when he tried to use his E-trike to buy bread but failed to start it several times, prompting him to check and to find out that its batteries were missing.

Upon asking around, he was told by a bystander that they saw a boy, about 15 to 17 years old, wearing a black T-shirt and riding a red E-trike, briefly stop in front of his house in Barangay 436, where his E-trike was parked.

The victim noticed police officers passing through the area on board MC1-153. He approached them to report the incident and relay the information he had received.

Authorities immediately assisted the victim and conducted a follow-up operation, which led to their initial contact with the minor and the recovery of the batteries.

Recovered from him were two e-bike batteries worth P15,000 and a red NWOW e-bike with a key.

The MPD said a case for violation of Article 308 (theft) under the revised penal code (RPC) is being prepared for referral to the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings and proper disposition of the case.