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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider QC cable thieves cause apartment blackout

QC cable thieves cause apartment blackout

Published Jul 9, 2026 01:22 pm
(File photo)
(File photo)
Two men were arrested after allegedly stealing electric cables that caused a blackout at an apartment building in Barangay Greater Fairview, Quezon City, early Tuesday morning, July 7.
The suspects, identified as alias “Vandamme,” 29, and alias “Jonell,” 27, both residents of Barangay Holy Spirit, were arrested in a follow‑up operation by Fairview Police Station (PS 5) following the review of CCTV footage.
The footage showed one of the suspects removing electric cables outside Rizza Building while his companion stood nearby carrying a white sack.
The two were later seen leaving the area with the stolen wires hidden inside the sack, police said.
The theft was discovered after the building caretaker received complaints from tenants who suddenly lost electricity.
Fairview Police Station commander Police Lt. Col. Albert Jefferson Relente said the caretaker reviewed the CCTV footage and saw the suspects pulling out the wires, causing the blackout that affected the entire apartment building.
The caretaker immediately reported the incident to police, leading to a follow-up operation that resulted in the suspects’ arrest at around 12:05 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, in Area 7, Nawasa Line, Barangay Holy Spirit.
The stolen cables, estimated to be worth P10,000, were not recovered as the suspects allegedly sold them to a junk shop for P900.
Relente said police are still locating the junk shop where the stolen wires were sold.
Police records showed that alias “Vandamme” had a previous case involving violation of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, in 2022.
The suspects admitted to the crime and blamed their actions on poverty.
The two suspects are facing robbery charges before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office and are currently detained at the Fairview Police Station custodial facility.

Related Tags

METRONEWS Cable theft electric cables blackout apartment robbery arrest Quezon City Barangay Greater Fairview Fairview Police Station Quezon City Police District CCTV footage stolen wires junk shop
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