VIGILANT mall security personnel and swift police intervention thwarted a “basag-kotse” vehicle break-in on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect and the recovery of high-value stolen items in Barangay Cupang, Muntinlupa City.
Security guards caught the suspect and his 24-year-old alleged accomplice actively using a screwdriver to shatter the rear window of a parked white pickup truck and pull out a bag containing valuables.
Guards immediately subdued the 20-year-old suspect at the scene, while the older accomplice managed to flee.
Responding officers from the Muntinlupa City Police Station promptly took custody of the suspect and processed the scene.
Law enforcers recovered the stolen property, which included a designer bag valued at ₱80,000 and sunglasses worth ₱15,000.
Officers also confiscated key evidence, including:
- Tools: The screwdriver allegedly used to break the vehicle window
- Transport & Items: A white scooter-type motorcycle with its key and a mobile phone
- Identification: Driver’s licenses belonging to both the arrested suspect and the fleeing accomplice
Investigators are finalizing documentation for inquest proceedings against the arrested suspect on theft charges.
Meanwhile, police have launched follow-up manhunt operations to track down and apprehend the escaped accomplice.
NCRPO Officer-in-Charge PBGEN Christopher N. Abrahano commended the mall security team for their alertness, highlighting the importance of public-private cooperation in local crime prevention.
“Alert security personnel and the swift police response prevented the crime from progressing,” PBGEN Abrahano stated. “NCRPO will further strengthen coordination with private establishments to prevent similar crimes and ensure that offenders have no safe avenue of escape.”
Police authorities reminded motorists never to leave bags, electronics, cash, or other valuables in plain sight inside parked vehicles, and urged the public to report suspicious activity to the nearest station or via the 911 emergency hotline.
