ORMOC CITY – A man described by police as a repeat offender in theft and robbery cases was arrested after a dramatic escape from mall security following an alleged shoplifting incident at Gaisano Riverside Mall in Barangay Alegria, Ormoc City, on September 12.
Police said the suspect allegedly stole a pair of BUM cargo shorts worth P899.75 from the Men’s Department on the mall’s second floor. Men’s Department stock in-charge Marilou Ruiz noticed the suspect’s bulging clothes and alerted security guard Giamalou Orias.
When confronted, the suspect tried to flee but was intercepted at the ground floor exit by security guard Santiago. He resisted, leapt forward, and crashed into a glass door, shattering it before escaping.
Police later identified the suspect through CCTV footage and launched a hot pursuit operation. Intelligence operatives of Ormoc City Police Station 4, with the Ormoc City Intelligence Unit, arrested him hours later. The stolen item was no longer in his possession at the time of arrest.
Authorities said the man, already under monitoring for previous theft and robbery cases, was informed of his constitutional rights under the Miranda doctrine. Police are preparing documents for the filing of appropriate charges.
(ELVIE ROMAN ROA)
