18-anyos na umano’y nagnakaw ng motorsiklo sa Antipolo, arestado; motor, nabawi

• Antipolo police arrested an 18-year-old man on Feb. 17 for stealing a motorcycle used by an installer for his livelihood
• The suspect was tracked down through CCTV footage and witness accounts after he tried to sell the vehicle for ₱8,000 in nearby areas
• Authorities revealed this is the suspect's third arrest, following previous involvement in residential burglaries and local thefts
• The suspect now faces charges under the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016 after confessing to taking the vehicle when he found the keys

A swift response from local authorities in Antipolo City led to the recovery of a stolen motorcycle and the arrest of an 18-year-old serial offender on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The incident, which occurred in Barangay San Isidro, highlights the critical role of community surveillance and witness cooperation in solving local crimes.

The victim, Marlon Pelicano, a smart lock installer who relies heavily on his vehicle for work across various provinces, discovered his motorcycle missing at 8:00 AM on Sunday.

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Distraught by the loss of his primary source of income, Pelicano immediately sought assistance from barangay officials.

Reviewing CCTV footage from midnight that Sunday, authorities spotted two individuals loitering near the crime scene.

These witnesses later provided a crucial tip, leading the Barangay Tanods and local police to a hideout in Barangay Bagong Nayon.

There, they apprehended the suspect, identified only as "Jay," who was caught attempting to sell the stolen vehicle in nearby neighborhoods for a meager price.

Upon his arrest, the 18-year-old suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, claiming he found the keys on the ground and acted out of desperation.

However, further investigation revealed a troubling history. This arrest marks the suspect’s third time behind bars; he has a documented record of involvement in "akyat-bahay" (residential burglary) and other theft incidents within the city.

Barangay Captain Baby Garcia Salen confirmed that the suspect had already begun circulating the motorcycle in Barangay Cupang, offering it for as low as ₱8,000 before the authorities intervened.

"Agad-agad pong nagkaroon ng follow-up operation ang ating mga tanod. Nalaman po na may CCTV footage. Doon po nakita na may witnesses, dalawang menor de edad po na nakatambay po sa area," Salen stated.

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The recovered motorcycle has been returned to Pelicano, who expressed immense relief as the vehicle is essential for his livelihood. Meanwhile, the suspect is currently being held at the Antipolo Police custodial facility.

He faces formal charges for violating the New Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016. Local police are urging residents to remain vigilant and ensure their keys and valuables are never left unattended, even within their own premises.

In other news, forensic teams located the remains of Maria Teresa "Tess" Mamac on February 16, hidden beneath five feet of earth within her own family compound in Angeles City. Local authorities noted that the significant depth of the burial site and traces of blood in the home's laundry area suggest the act was methodically prepared. A manhunt is currently underway for the family’s driver of two decades, who was identified as the last individual seen with the victim and her vehicle. To accelerate the investigation, local officials have put forward a ₱200,000 reward for any details that lead to the location and arrest of the primary suspect.

Still in other news, a 33-year-old tricycle driver, identified by police as "Ernie," has officially surrendered and admitted to the killing of a 19-year-old tourism student. The victim, Elyza Esmeralda, was found in a remote area of Barangay Maddiangat on February 12, following her family's report of her disappearance a day prior. Crime lab experts successfully linked the suspect to the incident after finding hair strands and biological samples inside the tricycle used to move the body. After admitting he attempted to destroy evidence by burning the remains, the suspect remains in custody as authorities finalize the formal charges for his inquest.

Source: KAMI.com.gh