Farmer Reynato dela Cruz thanks Major Lester Zafra and his team for the recovery of his stolen motorcycle. Photo by Armand Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – Three persons are now in jail while two of their cohorts are subject of follow-up operations for alleged motorcycle theft in Barangay San Mariano, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.
Nueva Ecija Highway Patrol Team chief Major Lester Zafra said Lester Cauba, 19, of Barangay Matatalaib, Laur, and Ian Pablo, 21, of Barangay Papaya, San Antonio were caught red-handed with the stolen motorcycles in in an operation at about 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
An 18-year-old woman identified only as “Candy,” of Barangay Rio Chico, Hen. Tinio town was also arrested in a subsequent operation, Zafra said, adding that her husband John Paul Cauba, and the other suspect Russel Mendoza of Barangay Luyos, San Antonio, were able to elude arrest.
According to Zafra, the operation that was prompted by a complaint by farmer Reynante dela Cruz of Barangay Mallorca, San Leonardo, resulted to the recovery stolen motorcycles.
Dela Cruz told the HPT that his motorcycle was taken away while parked along a roadside while he was tending a rice field in Barangay Soledad, Santa Rosa by two unidentified men at about 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 6.
“Upon receipt of the report, joint elements of PHPT-Nueva Ecija (lead unit) led by Maj. Lester Zafra and Santa Rosa police station under the supervision of Maj. Fortune Diane Bernardo conducted follow-up operation in Barangay San Mariano, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija which resulted in the arrest of the suspects and recovery of stolen motorcycles,” police reported.
Dela Cruz said his motorcycle was a necessity for him as he travels 15 kilometers daily to attend to the farm.
“Napakalaking tulong po sa akin ang nagawa ng highway patrol na mabawi ang aking kaisa-isang service,” Dela Cruz said.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 10883 or the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 have been leveled against the suspects, Zafra said.
The two jailed suspects admitted the hot bikes were recovered from them but pointed to Mendoza who was the real culprit.
