ORMOC CITY – A 30-year-old man was arrested after he was caught stealing a goat in Zone Gumamela, Barangay Candahug, Palo, Leyte, on the evening of July 17, 2025.
The suspect, identified as alias “Von,” single and a resident of Barangay Cogon, Palo, was caught in the act by a witness, alias “Vin,” 34, a private employee from Babatngon, Leyte. The goat belonged to alias “Hec,” 36, a local businessman.
According to police, at around 10:16 p.m., Palo Municipal Police Station received a call from another concerned resident about the incident. When police arrived at the barangay hall, the suspect was already in the custody of barangay tanods.
The witness told authorities he was about to sleep when he heard a disturbance near the victim’s farm, located about 30 meters from his house. Using a cellphone flashlight, he saw the suspect holding one of the goats by the neck.
Upon being discovered, the suspect tried to escape by jumping off a seawall toward the shoreline, injuring himself in the process. He was later cornered and detained with the help of the witness, the goat owner, and barangay officials.
The suspect remains in the custody of Palo MPS for documentation and further investigation.
(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
