BAGUIO CITY – A 45-year old shoplifter was successfully arrested by responding personnel of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) following a brief chase after trying to cart away valuable items from a store in Malcolm Square barangay over the weekend.
BCPO City Director Police Col. Ruel D. Tagel said that the suspect, who is reportedly from Tondo, Metro Manila, pretended to be a customer of the shopping store, picked a number of valuable items from the men’s wear section, went into a fitting room and then returned only a single item to the display area.
The suspect attempted to leave the store without paying the items that he took but the security alarm of the said establishment sounded that alerted the employees and security personnel who were able to apprehend him.
The security personnel were able to recover from the suspect’s sling bag the men’s wear that he took and failed to pay but he was able to run towards the Maharlika Livelihood Complex.
BCPO personnel conducting foot patrol in the said area noticed the ongoing commotion and immediately responded to the scene where they chased the fleeing suspect.
After a brief pursuit, the police personnel were able to collar and arrest the suspect at the basement of the said complex.
The BCPO official lauded the swift and coordinated response of the patrolling police officers and the establishment’s security personnel that led to the arrest of the suspect.
He pointed out that the said incident is a tangible example of PNP chief Nicolas D. Torre III’s push for swift and responsive public service among police personnel.
Earlier, the PNP chief directed police units around the country to ensure that 90 percent of the law enforcers should be on the ground to enable them to respond quickly and be visible, engage and always within reach by the people seeking help for whatever reason. By Dexter A. See
