Viral truck theft suspect, 2 others nabbed in Pasay for gambling, gun, drugs
The arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence (Photo from Pasay City Police)
The suspect in a viral truck robbery incident, along with two companions, was arrested by members of the Pasay City Police Substation 3 during an “Oplan Galugad” operation on April 16.
Pasay City Police chief Col. Joselito De Sesto identified the suspects as Mel, 18; Jeff, 33; and Atan, 34. They were apprehended on Derham Street in Barangay 76, Pasay City.
De Sesto said Mel was the individual seen in a viral video uploaded by a certain “Jayskie,” showing him opening the back of a truck stalled at EDSA and Roxas Boulevard and stealing a box of goods.
Police said Mel posed as a vehicle cleaner in traffic while carrying out theft.
The three were caught in the act of playing “cara y cruz” (coin game) when police arrived.
Seized from them were P300 in betting money and three one-peso coins.
Further inspection led to the recovery of an improvised firearm from Mel, while two heat-sealed transparent sachets of suspected shabu worth P2,312 were confiscated from Jeff and Atan.
The suspects are currently detained at the police custodial facility.
Aside from violation of Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling), Mel faces additional charges under Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), while Jeff and Atan will be charged under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).