P15.1 M stolen cell site batteries recovered in Bacolod City, 4 arrested

Policemen inspect the batteries that were stolen from a cell site in Negros Occidental  on Thursday, June 29, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BACOLOD CITY POLICE OFFICE)

BACOLOD CITY — Police arrested three suspects and seized P15.1 million worth of stolen cell site batteries here Thursday afternoon,

Arrested were Erwin Aribato, 30; Romelyn Quiatchon, 26, and Joseph Villanueva, 30.

Bacolod City police director Col. Noel Calderon Aliño said the three suspects were caught in the act of selling the batteries to a local junkshop owner.

Recovered from the suspects and the junkshop were fifteen 12 volts 180AH baterries valued at P1,500,000 that were stolen in Mabinay, Negros Oriental and 136 other batteries worth some P13.6 million and owned by two major telecommunications firms.

“We are still determining where the 136 telco batteries came from,” Aliño said.

The suspects are presently under the custody of the police, including the confiscated evidence for proper disposition.

The suspects were turned over to Negros Oriental police and will face a formal complaint, Aliño said.

The owner of the junk shop will likewise face a formal complaint for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law.

 gsg