Fire hydrant valves recovered from the suspect. (Photo courtesy of QCPD)
A 50-year-old man was arrested after he was allegedly caught dismantling a fire hydrant fixture at a condominium in Camp Aguinaldo, Project 4, Quezon City, early Thursday morning, Aug. 20.
Police said a utility worker was cleaning near Building A at around 5:30 a.m. when he allegedly saw alias “Ato” dismantling the steel cover of a water fire hydrant.
The worker confronted Ato and told him to stop, but the suspect allegedly continued dismantling another fire hydrant fixture.
The worker then sought help from a Philippine Army officer who was conducting a patrol in the area.
The officer responded, approached Ato, and arrested him.
Police recovered four double fire hydrant valves worth P7,000 each and one single fire hydrant valve worth P5,000 from the suspect, with a total estimated value of P33,000.
Ato, a resident of Barangay Buyo, Taguig City, was turned over to Project 4 Police Station (PS 8) for investigation.
He will be presented for inquest proceedings before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for theft.