Recovered from the two alleged burglars were auto parts worth about P40,000, including a dismantled bumper support, a catalytic exhaust, and the cement sack used to transport the stolen items. (Photo courtesy of QCPD)
A vape shop owner caught two alleged burglars in the act after spotting one of them leaving his storage area with about P40,000 worth of stolen auto parts in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, before dawn on Wednesday, Aug. 5, prompting police to arrest the two suspects.
The victim had been keeping watch over his rented establishment along Longanese St., St. Charbel 1 since about 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4, after noticing suspicious activity in the storage area.
At around 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 5, the victim saw one of the suspects, later identified as alias "Juan," 20, of Antipolo City, emerge from the storage area carrying a cement sack loaded onto a wooden cart. Suspecting the items had been stolen, he discreetly followed the suspect to a nearby junk shop.
The victim then sought help from patrolling Talipapa Police Station (PS 3) personnel, who arrested alias "Juan" and his alleged accomplice, alias "Paul," 37, of Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, at around 3 a.m.
During questioning, alias "Juan" admitted that alias "Paul" had ordered him to carry out the burglary.
Recovered from the suspects were a dismantled bumper support worth P30,000, a catalytic exhaust worth P10,000, and the cement sack used to transport the stolen items.
Police said both suspects were employees of the landlord of the establishment rented by the victim. Records also showed that alias "Paul" had a previous case for illegal gambling under P.D. 1602.
The suspects remain under police custody and are facing robbery charges before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office through inquest proceedings.